Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for deeper Russia-Africa cooperation, presenting food security, energy, technology and education as key areas for expanding Moscow’s relationship with the continent.
Addressing the plenary session of the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in Moscow on Wednesday, October 28, Putin said Africa’s growing economic and political influence was becoming a major part of changes in the global order.
The forum is being held on October 28 and 29 as part of the third Russia-Africa Summit, bringing government officials, businesses and international organisations together to discuss trade, investment, nuclear energy, digitalisation, payment systems and food security.
Putin described the emergence of a more multipolar international system as “objective and irreversible” and argued that developing economies were assuming a greater role in global decision-making.
Putin Points to BRICS Economic Weight
The Russian leader used the growing economic influence of BRICS to support his argument.
“Over the past five years, BRICS countries have accounted for more than 40% of global GDP, while the Group of Seven has contributed less than 30%,” Putin said.
The figures were presented by Putin as evidence of a shift in global economic weight towards emerging economies. He made a similar comparison at the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi in September.
Putin said Africa should increasingly be viewed as one of the emerging centres of global economic and political influence.
He also invoked former Burkina Faso leader Thomas Sankara while criticising debt dependence and what he described as forms of modern economic domination.
Africa’s demographic trajectory, Putin argued, strengthens its importance. United Nations projections put the continent’s population at roughly 2.5 billion by 2050, reinforcing expectations that Africa will account for a growing share of global population growth.
Russia Offers More Food and Energy Cooperation
Food exports formed a significant part of Putin’s pitch to African countries.
He said more than 40 African states already receive Russian grain and fertilisers and expressed Moscow’s readiness to expand supplies.
Russia exported about 13 million tonnes of agricultural products to Africa during the first nine months of 2026, according to Putin. Interfax separately reported the same figure from his forum address.
“I would note that Russia is one of the most reliable guarantors of food security on the African continent,” Putin said.
Energy is another area Moscow wants to expand.
Putin said Russia was prepared to support African countries seeking affordable and reliable electricity while developing their domestic energy markets. Russian officials say more than 30 energy projects involving Russia are under consideration or implementation across 16 African countries.
Technology and Education Enter the Pitch
Russia also wants technology to become a larger part of its African partnerships.
Putin offered Russian expertise in digital systems and other high technology areas, describing technological sovereignty as increasingly important for developing economies.
Education already provides a substantial link between the two sides.
More than 40,000 African students are currently studying at Russian universities, according to Russian officials, while Moscow has continued expanding government funded places available to African applicants.
Putin said Russia remained interested in deepening economic and humanitarian relations across Africa.
The broader test, however, will be how much of the political language and agreements coming out of the Moscow summit translate into investment, trade and completed projects on the continent.
Russia-Africa trade exceeded US$27 billion in 2025, according to Russian officials, but Moscow is seeking a considerably larger economic footprint as competition for commercial and diplomatic influence in Africa intensifies.
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