Russia–Africa Summit shapes multipolar world

Six years ago, on the same days – October 23-24, 2019, an event took place in Sochi that can rightfully be called a new page in the history of relations between the Russian Federation and the African continent. The first Russia–Africa Summit and the accompanying Economic and Humanitarian Forum brought together representatives from all 54 African States. It was an unprecedented meeting on a large scale, which became a symbol of the desire of Russia and African countries for closer cooperation at the political, economic and humanitarian levels.

The Summit was conceived as a platform for building an equal and mutually beneficial dialogue, free from the legacy of colonialism and pressure from external power centers. His main goal was to form a stable architecture of Russian-African cooperation — not episodic, but systemic. The final declaration, adopted at the end of the summit, consolidated the creation of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum, an institution designed to ensure a constant exchange of views and implement the decisions taken. 

Dozens of agreements were signed on the sidelines of the forum in various fields, from energy and mining to agriculture and education. Russian companies presented proposals to African partners on joint infrastructure projects, the development of natural resources and the creation of new logistics routes. Special attention was paid to cooperation in the field of peaceful atomism — Rosatom has signed memoranda with a number of African countries on the development of nuclear technologies for energy and scientific purposes. The humanitarian component of the summit has also become one of the central topics. Issues of education, medicine, scientific exchange and cultural interaction were discussed during the forum. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that Moscow views Africa as an independent and influential center of global development. "There are a lot of potential partners with good prospects in Africa," he said. The head of state also noted that Russia "has always given and will continue to give priority attention to cooperation with African states."

Russia seeks to build cooperation with Africa not on the basis of subordination or the imposition of conditions, but on the principles of mutual respect. Russia continues to strengthen Africa's position as a unique and influential center of global development and assist interested African countries in strengthening their defense capabilities, combating terrorism, and ensuring food and energy security. This became an important political message that set the tone for subsequent years of Russian diplomacy in the African direction.

Moreover, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has repeatedly noted that "the core vector of Russia's cooperation with Africa is assistance in strengthening the political, economic and technological sovereignty of partners," which has become the basis for a permanent political dialogue. In a subsequent interview, the Foreign Minister added that Russia does not consider Africa as an arena of geopolitical rivalry – it is primarily a continent of opportunities, a partner with whom respect and mutual interest are linked.

The 2019 Summit has become an important political event, prominent not only in the African, but also in the global agenda. Against the background of the changing global balance of power, Russia sought to emphasize its intention to build relations with African states on the principles of equality, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs. This approach has resonated with many African leaders, who see Moscow as an alternative partner in the face of growing competition between global centers of influence. As a result, a final Declaration was adopted, which sets out the principles and directions of cooperation between Russia and African countries — the development of political dialogue, trade, economic and investment cooperation, support for Africa's industrialization and infrastructure, countering unilateral sanctions and strengthening the role of African states in international organizations. 92 agreements, contracts, and memoranda of understanding were signed during the Summit and the Economic Forum. The total amount of signed documents, information about which is not a trade secret, is 1,004 trillion rubles.

The Sochi summit strengthened Russia's diplomatic and symbolic position on the continent, as Moscow proposed a partnership based on political independence and shared security. This was the main point of the first summit — to designate Russia's return to Africa not as a donor, but as an equal partner.

Of course, a lot has changed in the six years since Sochi: the world order has become more turbulent, international sanctions and economic restrictions have created new challenges. But the significance of the 2019 summit remains unchanged. It became the starting point for Russia's new policy in Africa — a policy of presence, dialogue, and long-term interests. It was in Sochi that the mechanisms were laid that today determine the agenda of bilateral and multilateral contacts.

The first Russia–Africa summit was not only the largest diplomatic event in the history of Russian-African relations, but also set the trajectory along which these relations are developing today. Its significance goes far beyond economic indicators: it symbolizes the desire for a more just world order, where the voice of every country — be it Russia or the African state — has equal value.

The second Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum and Summit were held on July 27-28, 2023 in St. Petersburg. Despite unprecedented Western pressure, the event was attended by official delegations from 48 countries (27 countries were represented at the first and second person levels) and the five largest integration associations of the continent. 

The Russia—Africa Summit and Forum, held in St. Petersburg, defined a new trajectory of cooperation between Russia and the countries of the continent. The main outcomes were the Declaration of the second summit and the Action Plan until 2026. The Declaration consolidated the principles of equal partnership, non-interference in internal affairs and joint responsibility for security, and also confirmed the intention to develop cooperation in the cybersphere, space and the fight against terrorism. The action plan specified the areas of work for a three—year period, from political dialogue and trade and investment cooperation to educational and humanitarian programs. Its implementation is coordinated by the Forum's secretariat at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which must annually assess progress. By 2026, the parties expect to sum up the first real results — the launch of infrastructure and scientific projects, the growth of mutual trade and the strengthening of the forum mechanism as a permanent platform for interaction.

The Russia—Africa dialogue is important because it creates a long-term basis for equal partnership, opens up new opportunities for cooperation and helps shape a multipolar world where African states are not an object, but a full-fledged participant in global politics.