Russian President Vladimir Putin has been actively engaging with African leaders at a Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, a key initiative aimed at expanding Moscow's influence and solidifying its partnerships across the continent. The summit, which concluded Thursday, highlighted Putin's efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with Africa's nearly 1.6 billion people.
During a meeting at the Kremlin, Putin declared that "Russia and Africa are united by truly strong bonds of friendship and close partnership." He articulated a shared vision of "building a multipolar, genuinely democratic world order, free from diktat and double standards and based on respect for the norms of international law and the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter." Putin also recalled Soviet-era support for African nations' anti-colonial struggles, stating that Russia remains committed to helping African countries defend their sovereignty, achieve steady economic growth, and strengthen their social sectors.
The summit, held for the second time after its 2019 debut, drew nearly 50 African nations, with approximately 20 represented by their heads of state. This gathering underscores Russia's persistent efforts to grow its engagement with a continent that holds significant weight as the largest voting bloc at the United Nations.
Putin announced that Russia's trade with African nations surpassed $27 billion last year and vowed to increase this figure. He highlighted Russian companies' involvement in major investment projects across Africa in sectors such as energy, mining, industrial cooperation, and logistics. "Our business community approaches cooperation with African partners with honesty, respect, and integrity, conducting business on an equal footing," Putin stated. He contrasted this approach with what he described as the "colonial practices by former imperial powers," asserting that Russian companies reinvest profits into African economies, share technology, engage local subcontractors, and create jobs.
Russia's role as a major supplier of grain and agricultural products to Africa was also emphasized as a "concrete and tangible contribution to ensuring food security across the entire African continent." Putin reported that Russia delivered over 18 million metric tons of grain to Africa last year, with an additional 13 million metric tons in the first nine months of the current year. Russian exports of mineral fertilizers also saw a substantial increase, reaching approximately 1.5 million metric tons last year and exceeding 2.2 million metric tons so far this year.
Beyond economic ties, Putin pointed to Russia's contributions in healthcare and education, noting that nearly 40,000 African students are currently pursuing studies in Russian universities. Furthermore, he underscored Moscow's support for African states in maintaining "internal stability and security, and in strengthening their defense and law enforcement capabilities," citing intergovernmental agreements on military and military-technical cooperation with 45 African countries. This focus on security assistance comes as Russia competes with other global powers, including the United States, Europe, and China, for influence on the continent, often leveraging its military contractors.