Russia-Africa Summit: Putin set to address gathering of African leaders in Moscow
Moscow is the stage for two busy days of diplomacy as African leaders and government delegations from 48 countries gather for the third Russia-Africa summit on October 28-29.
Day one opens with discussions on economic partnerships, agriculture, education, healthcare, and artificial intelligence, followed by sessions on energy, mining, and business cooperation through BRICS. Russian President Vladimir Putin and African Union chair Evariste Ndayishimiye are due to address the Economic and Humanitarian Forum’s plenary session at Gostiny Dvor.
Putin and African leaders will then tour an exhibition of Russian innovative solutions and technologies in key economic areas before meeting heads of African regional organizations at the Kremlin. His schedule also includes bilateral talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso, alongside an evening reception for summit participants.
Following gatherings in Sochi in 2019 and St. Petersburg in 2023, the summit is expected to produce a cooperation plan for 2027-2029 and agreements spanning trade, investment, and technology.
The summit is being watched closely as African governments seek a greater role in global affairs and broader economic partnerships amid geopolitical tensions. Moscow’s expanding ties with the continent have drawn Western criticism, while Russian officials have accused Western governments of pressuring African states to stay away from the gathering.
RT is following the talks, speeches, and business discussions, bringing you the latest announcements, reactions, and footage from across Moscow.
28 October 2026
08:09 GMTRussian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov describes Africa as “one of the main vectors of BRICS development in the coming decades.”
“Specialized formats for cooperation with African countries have been specified in a number of areas, including… the creation of an informal BRICS cooperation platform with the participation of African diamond-producing countries,” he tells the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum.
He also points to growing African membership in the New Development Bank, with Egypt and Algeria joining founding member South Africa. Bringing more African countries into the lender could broaden its investment portfolio, including in agriculture, Ryabkov adds.
Established in 2015 by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the New Development Bank finances infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging economies, including energy, transport, water, and digital infrastructure. Its expanding African membership gives more countries access to financing for national development priorities.
- 07:33 GMT
The Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum has opened at Moscow’s Gostiny Dvor, with around 4,000 Russian and African entrepreneurs invited. The morning sessions cover trade, food security, education, healthcare, and artificial intelligence, within a broader program focused on sovereignty, economic cooperation, human capital, and technological innovation.
Speakers on the program include Russian Economic Development Minister Maksim Reshetnikov, African Union Commission Chair Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Egyptian Supply Minister Sherif Farouk, and Burkina Faso Digital Transition Minister Aminata Zerbo-Sabane.
Russia plans to establish intergovernmental commissions with three more African countries, adding to 22 already operating, Reshetnikov says at the forum. He identifies food security and energy as promising areas for cooperation and says national currencies now account for 93% of Russia-Africa payments.
