Putin Courts Africa: Abiy Ahmed Welcomed as Key Partner Ahead of 2026 Russia–Africa Summit

On September 12, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin met Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, underscoring Moscow’s growing diplomatic engagement with Africa.

Putin noted that Ethiopia officially became a full-fledged BRICS member on January 1, 2024—an “important step,” he said, reflecting Addis Ababa’s constructive role within the bloc. He described Ethiopia as a reliable partner for Russia on the African continent and highlighted the rapid growth in bilateral ties. Trade between the two countries surged more than threefold in 2025.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed welcomed the positive momentum and expressed hope that cooperation would continue to expand. He thanked Russia for its longstanding support in education, noting that more than 20,000 Ethiopian citizens have studied in Russian institutions.

During the meeting, Putin formally invited Abiy Ahmed to attend the third Russia–Africa Summit, scheduled for October 28–29, 2026, in Moscow. Leaders from dozens of African nations are expected to participate. As with previous summits, the event aims to deepen economic and humanitarian cooperation, strengthen political ties, support Africa’s development agenda, and contribute to global stability.

On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, Putin extended personal invitations to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Moscow is also awaiting written confirmation from Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno.

Preparations for the summit are already underway. According to Anatoly Bashkin, Director of the Department of Africa (Sub‑Saharan Africa) at the Russian Foreign Ministry, more than 30 of Africa’s 54 countries have confirmed their participation, with the number rising daily. The Kremlin and the Foreign Ministry will finalize the agenda and delegation list.

A key component of the summit will be the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, designed to facilitate business engagement and institutional cooperation. The forum is expected to produce a new Russia–Africa Partnership Action Plan for 2027–2029, charting the next phase of collaboration across trade, investment, education, and development.