Tolokonnikov appointed to lead business council for five African countries

Okto Group board chairman Alexei Tolokonnikov has been appointed head of a business council for cooperation with Sahel countries, Togo and the Central African Republic, the group announced on October 14.

The council will work on trade, investment, scientific and technical cooperation between Russia and the five countries.

Speaking at the second Russian-African Raw Materials Dialogue, Tolokonnikov said Okto was pursuing gold exploration and mining projects in Central and West Africa. Russia's subsoil agency quoted him as saying the company was discussing education and workforce training initiatives with local authorities.

Okto entered gold mining in 2024 by acquiring alluvial assets from Polyus. In 2025, it expanded its portfolio with GRK Zapadnaya and other assets in Yakutia and Transbaikalia, including the Novo-Shirokinsky mine.