The gathering has brought together delegations from across the continent for talks on trade, energy, security and other areas of cooperation
Published 28 Oct, 2026 06:51
| Updated 28 Oct, 2026 20:54
Russian President Vladimir Putin. © Sputnik/Ivan Sekretarev
Moscow is hosting the third Russia-Africa Summit on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing together leaders and government delegations from 48 African countries for talks on political and economic cooperation.
The agenda covers trade, energy, agriculture, mining, education, healthcare, and artificial intelligence, as well as business cooperation through BRICS.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and African Union chair Evariste Ndayishimiye addressed the summit’s plenary session, while talks between Russian and African officials have covered investment, infrastructure, and economic ties. A series of agreements have also been signed with major African regional organizations.
The gathering follows previous summits in Sochi in 2019 and St. Petersburg in 2023, which helped lay the groundwork for closer relations between Russia and the continent.
The event comes as African governments push for greater influence in international affairs and more diverse economic partnerships against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions. Russia’s expanding ties with the continent have drawn Western criticism, while Moscow has accused Western governments of pressuring African states to stay away from the summit.
RT is bringing you the latest developments, statements, interviews, and footage from the summit and events across Moscow.
Show latestShow oldest
-
28 October 2026
20:15 GMT
This concludes our live coverage of the first day of the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow. Join us tomorrow for more developments and exclusive interviews as the summit continues.
- 20:09 GMT
Putin cited an African proverb at a Kremlin reception to emphasize the enduring nature of Russia’s relations with the continent.
“Africans have a good proverb: When the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind,” he said.
“No matter how the world changes, whatever the political or economic circumstances, the spirit and principles of Russia’s relations with African countries remain unchanged,” he added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow. © Sputnik / Aleksandr Kryazhev
- 19:53 GMT
The dominance of the US dollar in international trade gives Washington the power to dictate terms to other countries and helps sustain the exploitation of Africa, Kwesi Pratt, managing editor of Ghana’s Insight newspaper, has told RT.
“If that should change, US power would be diminished substantially,” Pratt said.
“The exploitation of the African continent, of its people and its resources, is largely due to the existing financial system,” he added.
Pratt called for greater African unity and economic independence, pointing to the continent’s vast natural wealth and the need to use it for its own development. “Africa needs to be conscious of this power and to utilize this power fully in its interest,” he said.
- 19:07 GMT
Take a 360° look inside the Russia-Africa Media Forum in Moscow, organized by RT, Sputnik, and TASS.
- 19:04 GMT
Energy cooperation with Russia could help drive Africa’s industrial development and create jobs for young people, Sierra Leone’s ambassador to Moscow, Mohamed Yongawo, has told RT
“President Putin is right. Africa is the future,” he said on the sidelines of the summit, calling for practical projects to provide sustainable, long-term energy solutions.
Yongawo described energy as essential to progress in other sectors, including agriculture and education, and urged Russia and African nations to make it a priority in their cooperation.
- 18:53 GMT
Russia and African nations remain “genuine friends and partners” regardless of political or economic changes around the world, Putin said at a Kremlin reception for participants of the summit.
“No matter how the world changes, the spirit and principles of Russia’s relations with African countries remain unchanged,” he said, stressing their shared commitment to a multipolar world order based on sovereign equality, mutual respect, and freedom from external dictates.
Vladimir Putin. © Sputnik / Yevgeny Messman
- 18:18 GMT
A splash of color, culture, and unforgettable moments – take a look at some of the most vibrant scenes from the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow.
Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Abdoulkader Houssein Omar. © Sputnik/Artem Pryakhin
© Sputnik/Maxim Blinov
© Sputnik/Kristina Solovyova
© Sputnik/Maxim Blinov
Tunisian Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri. © Sputnik/Ekaterina Chesnokova
© Sputnik/Alexey Nikolsky
- 18:14 GMT
Putin has welcomed African leaders and other delegates attending the Russia-Africa Summit at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow.
A total of 48 African countries are participating in the gathering, with 22 represented at the highest level.
Russian President Vladimir Putin with African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, October 28, 2026. © Sputnik / Aleksandr Kryazhev
- 18:02 GMT
Agreements signed at the summit in Moscow will help strengthen cooperation with major African regional organizations and deepen ties with the continent, the Russian Foreign Ministry has said.
The documents include memorandums of understanding with the East African Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, as well as a 2027–2029 action plan with the African Union Commission.
October 28, 2026, Moscow. © Sputnik/Alexey Maishev
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also held a working breakfast with his counterparts from 41 African countries on the sidelines of the summit.
- 17:37 GMT
Africa should no longer expect an apology from the West for past exploitation and should instead seek genuine partnerships based on mutual benefit, Raymond Matlala, chairman of South Africa’s BRICS Youth Association, told RT on the sidelines of the media forum.
“Western countries have exploited Africa and now we need genuine, friendly partners,” he said, calling for cooperation that would “drive development in Africa for Africa, not the other way around.”
More
-
28 October 2026
06:48 GMT
African leaders and senior delegations have been arriving in Moscow ahead of the Russia-Africa summit and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum gathering.
Watch footage of their arrivals and airport welcomes in the Russian capital.
- 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.
- 08:09 GMT
Russian 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.
Read more
- 08:53 GMT
Sahel investment bank (BCID-AES) President Balibie Serge Auguste Bayala has called for a more balanced Russia-Africa partnership that reflects the differing priorities of African countries and regional organizations. He urges both sides to diversify trade and develop projects that help transform African economies.
BCID-AES, jointly established by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, is exploring cooperation with the Russian state development corporation and investment company VEB.RF on infrastructure, industry, and local resource processing. VEB.RF has also offered to share expertise in financing and implementing projects.
For more background on the key trends shaping Russia-Africa relations, check out this special feature produced by RT in collaboration with the Center for African Studies at HSE University in Moscow.
- 09:16 GMT
Kenya intends to deepen ties with Russia and expand partnerships in trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, and technology, President William Ruto says, announcing his arrival in Moscow for the third Russia-Africa Summit on Wednesday.
“Our focus is on unlocking economic opportunities, strengthening cooperation in peace and security, and advancing Kenya’s development priorities and Africa’s collective prosperity,” he wrote on X.
Arrived in Moscow, Russian Federation, for the Third Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, to deepen Kenya–Russia relations and advance strategic partnerships in trade, investment, energy, infrastructure and technology.
Our focus is on unlocking economic opportunities, strengthening cooperation in peace and security, and advancing Kenya’s development priorities and Africa’s collective prosperity.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) October 28, 2026
Kenya, designated a major non-NATO ally by Washington in 2024, is also pursuing closer ties with Moscow.
In an interview with RT published on Tuesday, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the West wanted Kenya to ignore Russia, adding that Moscow “cannot be ignored.” He stressed that Nairobi pursues partnerships based on its national interests.
- 10:06 GMT
Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye has called for more scholarships, joint degree programs, and greater attention to African students’ safety as he received an honorary doctorate from the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN).
“Young people are our greatest strategic asset, and education is the first investment in peace,” he said, urging Burundian students to return home after their studies to help build their country and Africa.
Russia offered Burundi 100 government scholarships for 2023-2024, according to Burundi’s Foreign Ministry. Its 2026-2027 scholarship call covers fields including medicine, engineering, agriculture, nuclear energy, and artificial intelligence. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in July that Moscow is ready to increase the annual allocation.
- 10:25 GMT
Russia will continue to supply agricultural products to African markets and other regions, Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Borisenko has said.
“We understand that many countries need Russian grain or other agricultural products and are always ready to go to our partners, [and] help them,” he said.
Read more on food security here:
READ MORE:
Feeding Africa: Sanctions make it worse, imports don’t help, what’s the solution? - 10:33 GMT
The era of Western media hegemony “has come to an end,” TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov tells the Russia-Africa Media Forum in Moscow, adding that African outlets are gaining influence as audiences lose trust in dominant Western media.
He attributes the shift to double standards and “the suppression of inconvenient facts,” saying African journalists increasingly tell their countries’ stories themselves.
His comments come a day after French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot accused Russia of manipulating public opinion in African countries to harm French interests. He pledged to seek EU sanctions over alleged interference targeting Cameroon and the Republic of Congo in particular, accusing Moscow of trying to “colonize minds.”
France has seen its influence on the continent dwindle, particularly in the Sahel states, which have expelled French troops for their failure to assist in combatting jihadist forces.
African Union of Broadcasting Director General Gregoire Ndjaka has previously emphasized the value of cooperation with Russian media for African audiences. He said the union’s partnership with RT aims to provide “the best information” and support broadcasters’ development rather than work against others.
- 10:56 GMT
Rosatom and the Togolese Energy Ministry have signed a memorandum of cooperation on nuclear energy.
“We are ready to offer solutions in energy, health, and agriculture to our partners,” said Rosatom Director-General Aleksey Likhachev.
“We will also promote the training of specialists and the development of nuclear infrastructure. One promising area for cooperation is the application of floating nuclear power units to a reliable low-carbon energy supply. For Togo, nuclear technologies can become a powerful incentive for social and economic development and improvement of the quality of life.”
- 11:03 GMT
Russia and Mozambique have signed a memorandum on road construction, maintenance, and toll-road management during a meeting between Russian Transport Minister Dmitry Yadrov and his Mozambican counterpart, Joao Jorge Matlombe, at the Russia-Africa Summit.
The ministers also discussed a possible direct shipping route between the two countries, Russia’s Transport Ministry said, reporting a 6.5-fold year-on-year rise in maritime freight volumes in the first half of 2026. Mozambique expressed interest in involving Russian companies in infrastructure projects, including railways.
Russian and African media officials at the plenary session of the Russia-Africa Media Forum in Moscow, October 28, 2026. © Sputnik/Alexey Nikolsky
More
