Putin calls for stronger Russia-Africa ties at summit
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on O País and Daily News
At the third Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, Vladimir Putin calls for stronger political, economic and military ties with the continent and backs an international order based on fairness and equality, report O País and Daily News. He also wants to develop raw-material processing, digital payments and cooperation with the African Union, while Moscow is seeking greater African influence at the IMF and World Bank.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Wednesday 28 October 2026 for stronger political, economic and military relations between Russia and African countries, at the third Russia-Africa summit held in Moscow. The meeting brings together delegations from 48 countries, including 22 African heads of state, according to O País and Daily News. Tanzanian Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba attended the opening, officially inaugurated by Vladimir Putin, reports Daily News.
The summit is co-chaired by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who is also the current chairperson of the African Union. He backed closer ties with Moscow and called on African countries to no longer limit themselves to exporting raw materials, but to take part in every stage of the value chain, from production to marketing, according to O País. Vladimir Putin also defended an international order based on fairness and equality, according to Daily News.
More than 40 sessions are scheduled over two days on trade, investment, technology transfers, food and energy security, health, education and youth exchanges. Participating institutions include the African Union, ECOWAS and SADC. Pavilions visited by Vladimir Putin and several African leaders showcase projects in industry, agriculture, energy, transport, finance, digital technology, communications, health and education, reports Daily News.
Vladimir Putin also announced an intention to increase the processing of raw materials in Russia and the production of finished goods, notably to create more jobs. He mentioned the use of digital financial systems to improve cross-border payments and the efficiency of transactions between countries. The Russian president also called for greater African influence at the IMF and the World Bank, as well as reform of these institutions, according to O País. Russia and the African Union Commission are seeking to give new impetus to their cooperation, following the summits in Sochi in 2019 and St Petersburg in 2023. The summit is being held as paramilitary fighters linked to the Afrika Korps remain active on the continent, reports O País.
