Russia-Africa Trade: Moscow pledges 13 million tonnes of agricultural exports

Russian President Vladimir Putin told African leaders in Moscow that Russia will expand the geographic reach of its agricultural shipments. He stated that the country supplied 13 million metric tonnes of agricultural products to the continent during the first nine months of 2026.

Putin made these remarks on Wednesday at the third Russia-Africa Summit. The event gathered delegations from 48 African nations. Twenty-two of these countries were represented by their heads of state. The summit serves as a platform for discussing trade and security in a region experiencing political shifts.

The Russian leader framed the meeting against a backdrop of regional instability. He noted that Russian-backed government forces in North Africa are currently engaged in conflicts with armed rebellions. Many countries in the region have recently emerged from military coups, a trend that has altered the local security environment.

Putin addressed the financial dynamics between the continent and global powers. He criticized Western nations for using debt mechanisms to slow African development. According to the Russian president, these nations offer financial resources on predatory terms that burden long-term growth.

He distinguished Russian business practices from those of former colonial powers. Putin stated that Russian companies do not engage in neo-colonial exploitation of natural or human resources. Instead, he said, they focus on processing raw materials locally to create jobs and generate tax revenue.

The summit coincides with ongoing disruptions in global supply chains. Attacks in the Black Sea continue to impede grain exports from both Russia and Ukraine. Additionally, the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has interrupted global fertiliser supplies, adding pressure to agricultural markets.

Putin is scheduled to hold individual meetings with the attending African leaders. These one-on-one talks will cover trade, security, grain supplies, and arms deals. The summit is expected to conclude with a final declaration outlining plans for deeper cooperation between Russia and African nations.