Russian President Vladimir Putin told African leaders on Wednesday that Russia was a better partner for the continent than Western countries, accusing former colonial powers of continuing to exploit Africa’s resources and using debt to constrain its development.
Putin was speaking at the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, a two-day event attended by African leaders and government delegations from 48 countries. He was also due to hold bilateral talks with many of the 22 African leaders attending the summit, with discussions expected to cover trade, security, arms and grain supplies.
According to Reuters, first held in 2019, the summit is part of Moscow’s broader push to expand its political, economic and military influence across Africa, where Russian paramilitary forces operating under the Africa Corps remain active. Russia is also seeking to strengthen its media and cultural presence on the continent and expand state-backed business interests in sectors ranging from mining to power generation.
Engaging African leaders and other countries in the Global South has also become part of Moscow’s strategy to counter Western pressure over Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“Africa is increasingly asserting itself as one of the key players in the global economy and politics,” Putin said.
However, he said the emergence of a multipolar world faced resistance from countries unwilling to accept the changing global order.
“Those who are accustomed to thinking in terms of their colonial past and to enriching themselves fabulously,” Putin said, without naming the countries he was referring to.
Western critics have accused Putin of invoking Africa’s colonial history to advance Moscow’s own geopolitical interests on the continent.
Putin also accused Western countries of attempting to push African nations back into debt dependence by offering much-needed financial resources on what he described as predatory terms, arguing that such practices hindered their long-term development.
In contrast, Putin said Russia was prepared to share its expertise, including in digital technology, and support local production rather than simply purchasing African raw materials. Such cooperation, he said, could create jobs and generate tax revenue for African countries.
Putin said Russia supported greater African representation in the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. He also offered cooperation on transport and agricultural infrastructure projects and said Moscow was ready to supply grain and fertiliser to more African countries.
