Putin Hosts Third Russia-Africa Summit to Expand Strategic Ties
Vladimir Putin is hosting 22 African leaders in Moscow to strengthen economic and security ties and promote a multipolar world order.
President Vladimir Putin is hosting the third Russia-Africa summit in Moscow on October 28-29, 2026, as part of a strategic effort to deepen ties with the continent following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Co-chaired by Putin and African Union Chairman Evariste Ndayishimiye, the summit brings together delegations from 48 countries to establish a cooperation action plan for 2027-2029. The agenda focuses on trade, food security, digital infrastructure, and reducing reliance on the dollar and euro.
Russia aims to position itself as a defender of the global majority against neocolonialism, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stating that Russia seeks to restore Africa as an influential center of a multipolar world. To support this, Russia has pledged joint investments and technology transfers in energy and agriculture, citing a $25 billion nuclear power project in Egypt as a model for industrialization. The summit is expected to result in 33 intergovernmental and commercial agreements.
While most African delegations attended, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was absent. Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama attended and defended Ghana's nonaligned foreign policy, noting his intention to urge Putin to establish a ceasefire in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry claimed Western governments used financial blackmail to discourage African participation. Beyond diplomacy, Russia maintains a military presence in the region through the Africa Corps, which operates in Libya, Mali, and the Central African Republic.
