Russian President Praises Russia-Africa Partnership and Its Role in Building a Multipolar World Order

Moscow – Russian President Vladimir Putin today Wednesday praised the growing role of the Russia-Africa partnership in creating the conditions necessary to build a multipolar world order, emphasizing the importance of enhancing Africa’s international standing and expanding economic, trade, technological, and humanitarian cooperation between the two sides. This came in a speech delivered by Putin during the plenary session of the third edition of the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in Moscow, attended by African Union Chairperson and President of the Republic of Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimiye, who also addressed the plenary session.

Putin reaffirmed Russia’s support for strengthening the role of African countries in making key decisions within international organizations, particularly the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, calling for reforms in the operational mechanisms of these institutions and redirecting them to meet the needs of developing economies. He stressed the need to enable African countries to manage their own resources and enhance the independence of their economic and financial decisions, noting that continued reliance on Western financial systems limits their sovereignty.

On the economic and trade front, Putin stated that Russia-Africa relations continue to develop despite the unprecedented pressures and sanctions he described, adding that Western countries are also exerting pressure on Moscow’s partners. He expressed Russia’s appreciation for the stance of African countries that have maintained their relations with Moscow despite external pressures, noting that Russian companies are operating successfully in African markets and that the number of companies entering these markets is steadily increasing.

For his part, Burundian President and African Union Chairperson Evariste Ndayishimiye called on Russian companies to expand their investments in the African continent, particularly in the sectors of agriculture, energy, mining, infrastructure, vocational training, and scientific research. In his speech at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Ndayishimiye emphasized the importance of establishing equal partnerships that achieve mutual benefit, enhance the processing of African resources, and increase their added value, rather than exporting raw materials, thereby contributing to job creation and poverty reduction. He underscored the importance of translating Russia-Africa cooperation into concrete investment agreements and developmental and humanitarian initiatives that yield tangible benefits for the peoples of the continent.

The third edition of the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum is being held in Moscow from October 28 to 29, coinciding with the Russia-Africa Summit, which is attended by 48 African countries. (End) D.A.N / A.M.S