Putin Speaks at Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow

 / Go to the mediabankRussian President Vladimir Putin speaks at the plenary session of the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in Moscow / Go to the mediabank

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the plenary session of the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, discussing Africa’s growing global influence, multipolarity, colonialism, Western pressure, and expanding cooperation in trade, energy, technology and food security.A fairer world, in which the voices of the majority are heard, is replacing the unipolar world today, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

"The era when the fate of entire continents was determined by a narrow bloc of states is irrevocably passing away. A more just world is coming to replace it, in which the voices of all countries participating in international communication should be heard," Putin said at the plenary session of the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum.

A multipolar world is becoming a reality, and this is an irreversible trend, Putin added.
The Russian president also stressed that the consequences of colonialism continue to affect African countries.»We must acknowledge that the consequences of the colonial era are still being felt in Africa today,» Putin said.Addressing the forum’s participants, Putin welcomed the African delegations to Moscow and expressed his gratitude for accepting Russia’s invitation.»I am very pleased to see you all. Thank you for coming to visit us in Moscow. This is a traditional meeting. I hope you will find your time here interesting and enjoy interacting with both your Russian colleagues and representatives of African countries. We will do our best to make your stay both pleasant and as productive as possible,» Putin said.Russian President Vladimir Putin said Africa’s influence and standing on the global stage are growing.»The continent is experiencing a new awakening. Its sovereignty is strengthening, and its influence and standing on the world stage are growing. Most importantly, Africans have an unwavering determination to defend their interests,» Putin said.Vladimir Putin said Russia is actively helping African countries reduce their debt burdens and improve financial stability. Putin noted that Moscow has joint programs with several African nations to redirect debt-related funds toward national economic development projects.Putin also accused Western countries of actively attempting to trap African nations in debt bondage.»We are witnessing active attempts by Western countries to push Africans back into debt bondage by offering them much-needed financial resources on predatory terms, which subsequently force them to repay many times the original amount, undermining their long-term development plans,» Putin said at the forum.

🇷🇺Putin: The West is actively trying to trap Africa in debt bondage, using tariff wars and illegitimate sanctions as tools of neocolonialism. https://t.co/7rEqkE5G0b

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) October 28, 2026

The Russian president emphasized that the summit was being held for the third time and that, as has become tradition, its work was beginning with a plenary session.Africa is increasingly asserting itself as one of the centers of the international economy, Putin said.»Africa is increasingly asserting itself as one of the poles of the global economy and politics. A new awakening of the continent is taking place, its sovereignty is being strengthened, and its influence and authority on the world stage are growing,» Putin said.»Those who are used to thinking about the colonial past in fairy-tale like manner, incredibly getting rich at someone else’s expense. Any kind of unsightly and cynical means are used, including tariff wars, illegitimate sanctions, economic diktat, blackmail and interference in internal affairs,» Putin said.Africa has limitless development opportunities, Vladimir Putin said.»[Africa] in fact has unlimited opportunities for intensive further development of sustainable economic growth,» Putin said.Russia holds a leading position in the struggle for technological sovereignty, and the country is open to sharing its expertise with its African friends, Putin added.

Russia-Africa Trade

Trade between Russia and Africa will be able to overcome $50 billion mark in the very near future, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.»Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable increase in mutual trade. The Russian-African trade exceeded $27 billion last year. In 2022, by the way, it was only 18 [billion], so a significant increase. However, of course, this is not enough. I am convinced that we can increase this figure even more in the very near future, at least twice, and definitely overcome the 50 billion mark,» Putin said.Trade and economic relations between Russia and Africa are developing despite pressure and sanctions, Putin added.WorldRussia Considers Africa to Be Continent of Future — PutinYesterday, 14:31 GMT

Energy Cooperation

Energy cooperation can benefit both Russia and African countries, Vladimir Putin said.»Overall, energy is precisely the sector where the capabilities of Russia and the African continent complement each other organically and can benefit both sides,» Putin said.Russia is participating in more than 30 promising energy projects in 16 African countries, Putin said, adding that Russian hydroelectricity company RusHydro is ready to assist in the design of new power plants and modernization of existing ones in Africa.

Russian Companies in Africa

Russian companies are successfully operating in Africa, with new businesses entering the local market, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.»Large companies from Russia are successfully operating on the continent, whose activities contribute to the socio-economic development of African countries. More and more new representatives of the Russian business community are entering the African markets,» Putin said.

🇷🇺Putin: Russian businesses contribute to Africa’s development rather than engage in colonial exploitation or predatory practices. https://t.co/T6B6aziKMY

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) October 28, 2026

Russia values ​​Africa’s firm stance on maintaining contacts with Moscow, despite the external pressure, Putin added.»Cooperation in the name of sovereign development is the core idea of the current Russian-African summit and this forum,» Putin added.Russian business is not engaged in predatory practices or colonial exploitation in Africa but is instead focused on developing the continent, Vladimir Putin said.»Our business is not engaged in predatory practices, neo-colonialist exploitation of natural and human resources but is instead increasing local processing of raw materials, thereby creating new jobs and tax revenues for all levels of African budget systems. We support our investments with significant and beneficial projects for the African population in healthcare, education, and environmental protection,» Putin said.Russia is ready to share unique technologies with Africa that will help manage water resources more efficiently, Putin said, adding that Russian business in Africa is guided by a socially responsible approach.

Russian Technological Development

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia has achieved impressive results in several areas of technological development, describing technological sovereignty as a strategic priority.Speaking at the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, Putin highlighted the nationwide adoption of digital healthcare technologies, which he said are significantly improving doctors’ productivity, expanding access to medical care and enabling earlier disease diagnosis.Putin said Russia remains at the forefront of efforts to achieve technological sovereignty and is ready to share its advanced technologies, digital expertise and know-how with African countries.Speaking at the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, Putin emphasized Moscow’s willingness to expand technological cooperation with its African partners.

Food Security in Africa

Russia is one of the most reliable guarantors of food security in Africa, Vladimir Putin said.»I would note that Russia is one of the most reliable guarantors of food security on the African continent,» Putin said.Russia exported 13 million tonnes of agricultural products to Africa in the first nine months of this year, the president added. More than 40 African countries are already receiving Russian fertilizers and grain, and Russia is ready to further expand these supplies, he continued.»Africa possesses its own agricultural potential and is capable of feeding itself. I believe this is one of the most important tasks for the continent,» Putin stated.

Sanctions Against Russia

Sanctions against Russia are unprecedented, and the West is also putting pressure on Moscow’s partners, Vladimir Putin said.»This [trade and economic relations] is not hindered by the unprecedented restrictions imposed on our country, nor by the serious pressure exerted by the West on our partners on the continent. And we appreciate such a firm and principled position of our African friends,» Putin said.

Settlements in National Currencies

Russia and African countries need to build a system of settlements in national currencies, Putin said.»It is important to continue working on building stable channels of mutual settlements in national currencies, expand the network of correspondent relations between Russian and African banks, facilitate the mutual opening of their branches and switch to alternative payment information transmission mechanisms, including using the Bank of Russia’s financial messaging system and the pan-African payment system operating in Africa and the African Union,» Putin said.African countries remain dependent on Western financial systems, which limits their sovereignty, Putin added.

BRICS

Putin also highlighted the role of BRICS in shaping the emerging international order, describing the group as one of the key centers of global transformation.»New centers of global governance are emerging, becoming focal points for the transformation and restructuring of the world order. Among them, in my view, a key place belongs to an organization well known to all of you: BRICS, effectively the world’s largest association, covering one-third of the Earth’s landmass,» Putin said at the forum.

🇷🇺Putin: BRICS countries accounted for more than 40% of global GDP over the past five years, while the G7’s share was less than 30% https://t.co/LxPUHtqgZu

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) October 28, 2026

Over the past five years, BRICS countries have generated more than 40% of global GDP, while the G7’s share stands at less than 30%, the Russian president added.

Time to Change Work of IMF, World Bank

It is high time to change the work of the IMF and the World Bank, reorienting them to the needs of developing economies, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.»Our country has also consistently advocated strengthening Africa’s role in governance and key decision-making within the framework of multilateral development institutions, primarily the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. And anyway, there is a question of reforming these organizations, reorienting them to the needs and requirements of developing economies,» Putin said.Russia advocates for a greater role for Africa in the decision-making process within international organizations, Putin said, adding that Russia and Africa together created prerequisites for a transition to a just multipolar world.Moscow’s Gostiny Dvor exhibition center plays host to the opening of the Third Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum on October 28 at 1:00 p.m., starting with a plenary session. Some 4,000 Russian and African entrepreneurs have been invited to join more than 40 events across four key areas.The event aims to bolster mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and African countries in politics, security, trade, science, technology, culture and humanitarian affairs.The inaugural Russia–Africa Summit was held in Sochi in October 2019, followed by the second one in St. Petersburg in July 2023.Follow Sputnik’s live broadcast!

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