Does Russia offer African countries an equal partnership?

Video Duration 28 minutes 10 seconds 28: 10. President Vladimir Putin hosts African leaders at a summit in Moscow.

Key points

• Beverly Ochieng – Associate director at Control Risks, specialising in Francophone Africa and the Sahel.
• Andrey Kortunov – Russian foreign affairs analyst and the former director general of the Russian International Affairs Council.
• The Russian president, speaking at the third Russia-Africa Summit being held in Moscow, has informed African leaders that his country is a better partner than the West.
• Sanusha Naidu – Foreign policy analyst and senior research associate at the Institute for Global Dialogue.
• Vladimir Putin notes Russian businesses operate in Africa on an equal footing, accusing Western countries of still focusing on exploiting the continent's resources.

Notably, the Russian president, speaking at the third Russia-Africa Summit being held in Moscow, has informed African leaders that his country is a better partner than the West.

Some African nations have turned to Russia for security assistance over recent years. Trade and economic ties are additionally growing.

And Russia has highlighted the importance of what it calls a "multipolar world" – while it seeks backing from the Global South to counter Western pressure over its war in Ukraine.

So, what are Russia and African countries getting out of this gathering?

Sanusha Naidu – Foreign policy analyst and senior research associate at the Institute for Global Dialogue. Published On 29 Oct 202629 Oct 2026.

For now, does Russia offer African countries an equal partnership? Remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.