Putin hosts Africa summit to expand Russian influence
Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 28 Oct, 07:44 · Archive
President Vladimir Putin is hosting a Russia-Africa summit in Moscow to expand Russian economic, military and political influence across the continent.
President Vladimir Putin is hosting the third Russia-Africa summit in Moscow as he seeks to expand Russian influence across the continent. The summit brings together African leaders and includes a two-day economic and humanitarian forum discussing investment, trade, food security and energy. Putin is scheduled to cochair Thursday's plenary session with Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, current chair of the African Union.
A new cooperation plan for 2027-2029 is expected to be announced, continuing what organisers describe as 'mutually beneficial cooperation'. Previous summits in 2019 and 2023 produced over 250 combined agreements. However, according to Al Jazeera, Russia's economic promises have not materialised. Although Putin pledged in 2019 to double annual trade to $40bn, merchandise trade with Africa reached just $27.1bn in 2025. Russia exported $14bn in goods to Africa in the first eight months of 2026 while importing only $3.2bn, creating a significant trade imbalance. Al Jazeera reports that Russian agricultural exports, particularly wheat, account for much of this disparity, with Russia shipping 10.2 million tonnes of wheat to Africa in the first half of 2026 alone.
How it is being reported
- ‘Russia is already part of who I am’: African students in MoscowAs the Russia-Africa Summit gets under way, students in the capital say education is helping to build ties.Al Jazeera · 28 Oct, 10:40
- Russia in Africa: What is Putin hoping to achieve?Following its invasion of Ukraine and the resulting rift with the West, Russia has declared that it intends to make a "historic return" to Africa. What have we seen of this so far?DW News · 28 Oct, 09:48
- Russia is selling Africa dependence disguised as partnershipAs African leaders gather in Moscow, Russia is securing resources and protecting rulers at the expense of their people.Al Jazeera · 28 Oct, 07:25
- Putin courts Africa leaders at Moscow summit to expand influenceThe continent has taken on greater strategic importance for Russia since its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.The Japan Times · 28 Oct, 05:53
In this story: Vladimir Putin · Evariste Ndayishimiye · Russia · Africa · Moscow · Egypt
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