Russian President Vladimir Putin told dozens of African leaders gathered in Moscow on Wednesday that Russia was Africa’s best partner and called for an end to what he described as Western domination, setting the tone for a two-day summit designed to expand Russia’s political, economic and military influence on the continent.
“The era when the destinies of entire continents were determined by a narrow bloc of states is coming to an irreversible end,” Putin said. “It is being replaced by a more just world, in which the voices of all nations participating in international affairs must be heard.”
Addressing delegates from 48 countries, including 22 African heads of state or government, the Russian president accused Western powers of continuing to exploit the continent’s resources and of using debt to hold back development. Africa, he argued, is increasingly asserting itself as one of the key players in the global economy and in world politics.
The summit, the third of its kind, is co-chaired by the current African Union chair, Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, whose remarks framed the partnership in terms of economic sovereignty and the terms on which African states engage external partners.
“Africa is seeking partners to strengthen its capacity to generate its own wealth,” Ndayishimiye said. “We do not want to be consigned to exporting our raw materials only to then import the finished products, at a high cost.”
The Burundian leader said African countries want to be involved in the entire value chain, from production to marketing, “so that the wealth created benefits our populations more effectively”.
Institutional reform of the global financial architecture featured prominently in Putin’s address. He called for strengthening Africa’s role in decision-making at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, arguing that those institutions should respond to the continent’s needs.
“The time has come to reform these organisations and refocus them on the specific needs and requirements of developing economies,” he said.
Meanwhile, the summit takes place as Russia works to broaden its footprint in Africa, where its Africa Corps paramilitary fighters remain active. The gathering brings together leaders who expressed support for stronger ties with Moscow, with several contrasting Russia’s approach with that of Western partners.
Beyond the plenary statements, the programme is extensive. More than 40 sessions over the two days are expected to address trade, investment, technology transfer, food and energy security, healthcare, education and youth exchange, giving the delegations a broad institutional agenda to negotiate.
For Moscow, the summit represents an effort to consolidate relationships across the continent at a moment when it is positioning itself as an alternative partner to Western governments. For African leaders in attendance, the sessions offered a platform to press demands for a greater say in the international institutions that govern development finance, and to signal openness to diversified partnerships.
Whether the declarations made in Moscow translate into formal agreements and lasting institutional change remains the open question as the summit concludes, but the assembled delegations used the occasion to make their positions on partnership, reform and economic sovereignty explicitly clear.