Delegations from 48 African countries gathered in Moscow as Russia promoted agricultural trade, education and financial cooperation and outlined plans for the next three years.
Russian President Vladimir Putin pitched expanded agricultural, educational and financial cooperation with African countries on Wednesday at the opening of the third Russia-Africa summit in Moscow. Delegations from 48 African countries are attending the two-day meeting, with 22 represented heads of state, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.
Putin and Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, the African Union’s rotating chair, are co-chairing the summit. Ushakov outlined the attendance figures on Oct. 26.
Putin said Russia did not engage in what he called the ‘neo-colonial exploitation’ of Africa. He accused Western governments of seeking to exploit the continent’s resources and using debt to impede its development. Those remarks formed part of Moscow’s effort to present Russia as an alternative economic and political partner for African countries.
Putin outlines agricultural, education and finance proposals
Russia exported 13 million metric tons of agricultural products to African countries in the first nine months of 2026, Putin said. Shipments to some countries rose several times over, he added. He further said more than 40 African countries receive Russian grain and fertilizer, and that Moscow was prepared to expand deliveries.
About 40,000 African students are enrolled at Russian universities, up 50% from 2020, Putin said. He also called for a larger African role in decision-making at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group.
The proposals span food supplies, higher education and representation in international financial institutions. The figures and commitments were presented by Putin; the speech did not establish how much additional trade or investment would result from them.
African Union chair outlines Africa’s expectations
Africa expects Russia to contribute to the continent’s economic development, Ndayishimiye said Wednesday at the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum. He described the task as turning the partnership’s potential into results.
The remarks underscored the focus on practical outcomes as both sides seek to expand cooperation. The summit’s agenda includes trade and investment, alongside technology, food security and other areas of cooperation.
Third summit follows meetings in Sochi and St. Petersburg
Russia hosted the first summit in Sochi on Oct. 23–24, 2019, and the second in St. Petersburg in July 2023.
The 2023 meeting adopted a main declaration and separate declarations on preventing an arms race in space, international information security and countering terrorism, according to the Kremlin transcript. It also adopted a Russia-Africa Partnership Forum action plan for 2023–2026.
Kremlin lists additional agreements
Ushakov said Oct. 26 that participants would adopt two declarations, one setting out joint positions and the other covering cooperation in artificial intelligence. He said 33 intergovernmental, interagency and commercial documents were expected to be signed with African countries.
The planned documents form part of the summit’s effort to broaden cooperation beyond political dialogue.
Next cooperation plan awaits leaders’ approval
Putin said Wednesday that leaders intend to adopt the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum action plan for 2027–2029 after the summit on Thursday. He said the document will define the main direction of cooperation between Russia and African countries.
The proposed plan follows the 2023-2026 framework and is intended to guide the partnership’s next phase.
