At the Third Russia-Africa Summit, Moscow Talked Big. But Who Was Listening?
The picture of how the Ukraine war is reverberating across Africa is much clearer than it was in 2023 — and it doesn’t look reassuring for Moscow.
Every three years, leaders of some of Africa's largest nations gather in a major Russian city for several days of socializing, photo opportunities, and private meetings with Kremlin officials. This is the third iteration of the Russia-Africa Summit. Moscow presents itself as an anti-imperialist bastion, highlighting its historic ties to African independence movements.
In return, African leaders seek trade deals and prestige. This year's event, held over two days, raises the pressing question of whether cooperation with Russia remains worthwhile, given the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The answer varies from one observer to another. The Russia-Africa Summit serves as a key diplomatic initiative for Moscow, offering a platform to meet prominent Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin.
This year, delegations from 48 countries participated, including 22 heads of state. The relationship between Russia and Africa has become more complex due to the war in Ukraine, particularly in military recruitment. Several African countries have been targeted by Moscow's efforts to fill manpower gaps in the war through foreign enlistment, a practice that rights groups claim constitutes human trafficking.
The issue of military recruitment was evident at the last Russia-Africa Summit in 2023. Now, the impact of the war on the continent is more evident than ever. In countries like Kenya and South Africa, the recruitment of foreign citizens for the war has become a matter of national concern, attracting attention from government investigators.
Amnesty International called on African officials to raise this issue with their Russian counterparts, arguing that remaining silent would be a "profound disservice to the people of their countries." Moscow continues to manage its extensive mercenary network, known as the Africa Corps, with mixed results. The organization, rebranded after the dissolution of the Wagner Group in 2023, is still associated with human rights abuses in countries such as Mali.
Despite Moscow's claims of strong bonds with African nations, the reality is that many countries depend on Russian military or diplomatic support in some form. Analyst Joseph Siegle, an expert on African security issues, notes that the participating heads of state are primarily motivated by political interests rather than genuine enthusiasm for Russia's role.
Participation in the summit has declined each time it has been held since 2019, due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. While the summit aims to facilitate dealmaking, the macroeconomic relationship between Russia and Africa is not particularly strong. Russia is not among Africa's top 10 trading partners, with trade being heavily one-sided in Moscow's favor.
The Russian investment in the continent represents only about 1%. However, some countries, like Ethiopia, have secured tangible agreements, receiving Russian fighter jets. The summit offers an opportunity for African nations to explore potential investments and partnerships with Russian firms, particularly in sectors such as energy and manufacturing.
Written by urgent.news from The Moscow Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
