African heads of state, government officials and senior representatives are arriving in Moscow, Russia, ahead of the third Russia–Africa Summit, scheduled for October 28–29, 2026.
The meeting is expected to strengthen cooperation between Russia and African countries in areas including trade, investment, technology, energy, agriculture, education and security.
According to Interfax, citing Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, delegations from 48 of Africa’s 54 countries had confirmed their participation as of October 26. Twenty-two countries were expected to be represented by their heads of state.
The summit will be attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and co-chaired by Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who currently chairs the African Union, according to the same report.
Trade and investment among key priorities
The summit is expected to provide a platform for African governments and Russian officials to discuss ways to expand trade, attract investment and develop economic partnerships.
According to RT Africa, the programme includes discussions on industrial development, technology transfer, food and energy security, digitalisation, healthcare, education and scientific research.
African countries are also expected to explore opportunities to expand access to the Russian market for their products, attract investment and strengthen local industries.
For example, Kenya is seeking greater access to the Russian market for its tea, coffee and horticultural products. In a report published on October 26, The Star newspaper said Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, was travelling to Moscow to pursue investment and export opportunities.
Security and international cooperation
Beyond economic matters, the summit is expected to address peace and security challenges affecting Africa and the wider international community.
A joint statement issued by the African Union Commission and Russia following high-level consultations in Addis Ababa on July 7, 2026, identified regional conflicts, food security, healthcare cooperation and reform of international institutions among the issues requiring continued engagement.
The statement also highlighted the importance of African-led approaches to conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding.
From political relations to practical results
The Moscow meeting follows earlier Russia–Africa summits held in Sochi in 2019 and St Petersburg in 2023. The third summit is intended to build on those engagements and identify practical ways to implement agreements between Russia and African countries.
According to Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, preparations for the summit had entered their final stage by October 21, with participating delegations working towards the meeting.
The key question will be how the discussions translate into concrete outcomes, including trade agreements, investment projects, technology cooperation and initiatives that respond to African countries’ development priorities.
As African representatives gather in Moscow, the summit offers an opportunity to review existing partnerships and discuss new areas of cooperation. Its longer-term significance will depend on the implementation of commitments made during the meeting and the benefits they deliver to participating countries.
