Africa summit in Russia: Putin courts an entire continent

Analysis of the Africa summit in Russia Putin is courting an entire continent As of: October 29, 2026 • 5:35 p.m

When it comes to trade with Africa, China and the EU are far ahead of Russia. But Moscow is trying to strengthen its influence on the continent - almost all African countries took part in the third Africa-Russia summit.

As William Ruto's blue light convoy enters Moscow, the host expresses his appreciation on the way: "Welcome, Your Excellency William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya!", the illuminated walls lining the roadside show on a colorful floral background in English and Russian.

A country visiting friends - that is the message, not only for Ruto, but also for the other more than 20 heads of state and government and a total of 48 delegations. Almost all of Africa is represented. Russia is not isolated internationally - for host Vladimir Putin, this is an important signal from the summit, both externally and internally.

Representatives from almost all African countries attended the summit in Moscow.

It is the third summit of its kind and it is once again about everything that Russia's economy has to offer - more or less. There are discussion groups on energy and nutrition, but also on health and population growth or artificial intelligence.

And of course, according to Putin's account, Russia can do better than those who, according to him, want to "colonize" it again: "All possible means, even the most unsightly and cynical, are used, such as customs wars, unlawful sanctions, economic dictates, blackmail and interference in internal affairs," the Russian head of state assumes. "Western countries are actively trying to drive Africans back into debt and force them to get the financial resources they desperately need under exploitative conditions."

Russia, on the other hand, exported 13 million tons of agricultural products to Africa in the first nine months of this year, says Putin. The fact that his country is actually a giant in the supply of wheat in particular is well received.

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What is not discussed is humanitarian food aid, in which Putin's granary does not play a comparable role. And also not about the fact that as a result of the Russian war of aggression, the supply of Ukrainian and Russian grain has shrunk and prices have risen.

But when it comes to food, Putin can score points with most of the participating states; his deputy foreign minister even announces a "logistical hub" that is to be built for Africa by the major grain buyer Egypt.

There is also great interest in the topic of energy supplies. Russia can not only export oil and gas, but also help make Africa self-sufficient, hopes NJ Ayuk from the African Energy Chamber organization: "The Europeans have never done it in 70 years of oil and gas production. There is a growing feeling that we have to produce gas and petrochemicals ourselves so that we no longer have to beg for European help and money."

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Russia is also an important player in Africa when it comes to armaments - quite offensively. Anyone who enters the summit's small exhibition area will first pass firearms and combat drones.

Emmanuel Sorgho stands with his back to the large, black flying object and looks into his colleague's cell phone camera for a souvenir photo. "We have a lot of security problems in Burkina Faso," he says. "Russia is a good partner, better than France." Burkina Faso and its neighboring countries Mali and Niger have kicked out the West and entered into an alliance with each other and also with Russia.

Without Russian weapons, fighters and trainers, the governments of these countries could hardly survive the conflict with Islamists and separatists. The same applies to the Central African Republic. Depending on the agreement, payment is made with money, gold, diamonds or raw materials. The fact that international organizations accuse the Russian fighters of some serious human rights violations is noted in Africa, but nothing more.

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Africa has its own wars that Europe hardly pays attention to. And so it is not surprising that for many delegates, Russia's war in Ukraine plays a subordinate role. NJ Ayuk, the energy expert from South Africa, says that of course an end to the bloodshed and a peace agreement would be best. He then quotes his compatriot Nelson Mandela: "Your enemies don't necessarily have to be our enemies."

At the end of the summit there will be declarations and probably also trade agreements, the significance of which will ultimately be measured much later by their implementation. One thing is clear: China and the EU are far ahead of Russia in terms of trade volume - uncatchable. The Kremlin knows this too.

Putin's main concern is to strengthen political influence on the world stage. Things are not going too badly in Africa, with its rich natural resources and a population that will probably be larger than that of Asia by the end of the century. Putin tells the delegates that he understands that and quotes the UN: "It's not for nothing that Africa is called the continent of the future."

This topic in the program: The First | daily news | Oct 28, 2026 | 8:00 p.m., BR24 Radio | News | Oct 28, 2026 | 7:21 p.m