Moscow Courts Africa Again: Who Is Heading to the Third Russia-Africa Summit

Moscow is preparing to host African leaders for the third Russia-Africa Summit, and the question that matters is who will actually be in the room.

The summit is set for 28-29 October 2026 in Moscow, with a Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum held alongside it. Putin will co-chair the plenary session on 29 October with Burundi's president, Evariste Ndayishimiye, the current chair of the African Union. Russia's foreign ministry says invitations went to all African heads of state and regional organisations, and most delegations have confirmed.

The numbers depend on whom you ask. In July, a senior Russian foreign ministry official said more than 30 African countries had confirmed participation. That figure counts countries, not presidents. An independent tally later put it at seventeen African leaders confirmed. The Kremlin has not announced how many heads of state will come.

Several names are on record. Countries that confirmed early include Mali, Madagascar, Uganda, Kenya, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Burundi and Sudan. South Sudan's Salva Kiir also confirmed, and Chad's Mahamat Idriss Déby told Moscow he would come. One notable absence from the confirmations: Algeria's Abdelmadjid Tebboune, whose country is Russia's largest arms customer on the continent, had yet to respond.

Ghana's President John Mahama is going too. He said he will try to persuade Putin to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. His line that Ghana is a friend to all and an enemy to none sets the tone for how many African leaders will frame the trip.

The turnout will be compared with earlier summits. The 2019 summit in Sochi drew 43 heads of state or government. In 2023, attendance by heads of state was notably lower. The Kremlin wants a stronger showing this time. Lavrov has accused France of trying to dissuade African leaders from attending.

Moscow's offer is built around trade, security and investment. Russia reportedly holds $4 billion in military contracts with 46 African countries, and a record 37,000 African students are enrolled in Russian universities. For the Sahel states and others that have turned away from Western partners, the summit is a place to sign deals and be seen. For leaders who balance several partners, attending costs little and keeps options open.

Who attends will say more than the declarations. A full list of presidents on the podium would suggest Russia's pull has grown. A thin one would suggest African governments are keeping their distance while still talking to Moscow.

Mustapha Bature Sallama
Medical/Science communicator, Private Investigator, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Analysis,United States Institute of Peace (USIP), [email protected] +233555275880

Sources
"Russia–Africa Summit 2026: Russia's Geopolitical Ambitions in Africa," Frontier Review. https://www.frontierreview.org/p/russiaafrica-summit-2026-russias

"Over 30 countries confirm participation in Russia-Africa Summit," TASS, 20 July 2026. https://tass.com/politics/2162299

"Over 30 African Countries Confirm Participation…," Sputnik Africa, 20 July 2026. https://en.sputniknews.africa/20260720/1087675495.html

"Kiir Joins Growing List of African Leaders Headed to Moscow," Eastern Herald, 30 July 2026. https://easternherald.com/2026/07/30/kiir-south-sudan-russia-africa-summit-moscow-october/

"Putin to lead key session at Russia-Africa Summit," Russia Today, 22 Oct 2026. https://eng.pressbee.net/show4936619.html

"President Mahama: 'I'll try to convince President Putin to have a ceasefire,'" Graphic Online, 22 Oct 2026. https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/president-mahama-ill-try-to-convince-president-putin-to-have-a-ceasefire.html

2019 and 2023 summit pages, Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Russia%E2%80%93Africa_Summit and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Russia%E2%80%93Africa_Summit