The Russia-Africa summit 2026: What you need to know about building a multipolar world without the West

The Russia-Africa summit 2026: What you need to know about building a multipolar world without the West

The presidents of Zimbabwe, Mali, and Mozambique have arrived in Moscow along with delegations from Senegal, Ghana and Uganda
Trade, sovereignty and peace are on the table as African leaders gather in Moscow this week for the third Russia-Africa summit.
Their participation comes despite what Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has as Western pressure on African governments to stay away. This prodding prompted Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama to retort that partnerships should deliver investment and fair returns rather than be determined by competition among outside powers.
The will set cooperation priorities for the next three years, alongside an Economic and Humanitarian Forum bringing together officials, businesses and experts. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, the current African Union (AU) chairman, will co-chair the leaders’ plenary session on the second day.
The gathering follows summits in Sochi in 2019 and St. Petersburg in 2023.
Who is coming to Moscow?Russia has invited all African heads of state and the leaders of regional organizations. Most African delegations have confirmed their participation, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa arrived in Moscow on Sunday. Writing on X, he said Zimbabwe’s participation would focus on driving economic diversification, boosting industrial trade, and creating sustainable jobs for our youth, alongside cooperation in energy, food security and technology. 
The presidents of Mali and Mozambique as well as the Senegalese prime minister have also arrived. Delegations from Ghana and Uganda are in Moscow, according to Ruptly footage showing their motorcades in the city center on Monday.
Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso left Brazzaville for Moscow on Sunday, according to a Facebook post made by his office.
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama arrived in Moscow on Monday after confirming his participation at the Financial Times Africa Summit in London last week. At that event, he defended Ghana’s nonaligned foreign policy, citing friendly relations with Russia, China, the US and the EU.
Mahama also said he would try to convince President Putin to have a ceasefire if I can, referring to the Ukraine conflict. His appeal follows earlier African peace efforts, including a seven-country mission led by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Ukraine and Russia in June 2023.
Kenyan President William Ruto and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni are expected to attend, their ambassadors in Moscow confirmed in June. Kenya’s envoy, Peter Mathuki, said he anticipated very fruitful talks.
Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traore and Niger’s President Abdourahamane Tchiani will also participate, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov.
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir confirmed his attendance in a letter to Putin delivered through diplomatic channels in July, according to Russia’s embassy in Juba. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has also announced the participation of Guinea-Bissau’s transitional leader, Horta N’Tam.
Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will attend, her office confirmed, announcing her scheduled departure on Monday. It said Namibia would seek partnerships supporting mineral processing, job creation, technology transfer and economic diversification.
Libya’s Presidential Council Chairman Mohamed al-Menfi is also expected to participate, Sputnik reported, citing a source in the council. Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan will attend, Russian Ambassador to Sudan Andrey Chernovol told RIA Novosti.
Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead his country’s delegation, Nigeria’s ambassador to Russia, Joseph Olusola Iji, told TASS.
Ramaphosa will not attend. During talks with Putin