Russia hosts African leaders in Moscow for two-day partnership summit

Leaders and delegates from across the African continent have gathered in Moscow for the opening of the third Russia-Africa Summit, a two-day event aimed at deepening diplomatic ties and economic engagement.

The summit, taking place on October 28 and 29, includes representatives from 48 of the 54 African nations, with 22 countries represented by their heads of state, according to Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yury Ushakov. Russian President Vladimir Putin is co-chairing the proceedings alongside Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who serves as the chairperson of the African Union.

Talks are structured around plenary sessions and face-to-face meetings between Putin and individual African leaders. The primary discussions focus on international diplomacy, trade, investment and Africa's influence within international governance bodies. Both sides are also seeking to expand collaboration in key sectors such as energy, agriculture, infrastructure projects, science and education.

Alongside the political meetings, the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum is convening officials, corporate executives and policy experts. The forum is designed to address practical matters including energy access, food security, industrial growth, public health, digital technology and innovation.

Participants are working toward several formal deliverables before the summit concludes. Among the planned documents are a joint declaration, bilateral agreements, and a comprehensive action plan governing the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum for the period spanning 2027 through 2029.

The meeting in Moscow represents the third iteration of the multilateral platform, following the initial summit held in Sochi in 2019 and a second event hosted in St. Petersburg in 2023. Organizers aim for the current talks to define Moscow's strategic and humanitarian priorities on the African continent over the coming years.