Recent press reports have indicated a growing interest by Russian firms to gain oil exploration projects in Africa. Some quarters believe this latest Russian push into the African market is part of Moscow\'s foreign policy which is giving a cause of concern to Western capitals.

African business affairs expert Philippe Solomon has provided his view on this trend. \"Africa boasts just 10 percent of the global proven oil reserves, but in the current market conditions, oil companies including those from Russia are looking for oil from West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea. This is no surprise to me,\" added the specialist. 

It should be noted that  The Gulf of Guinea region’s oil is light and sweet, making it cheaper to refine compared to the Middle Eastern oil.