Preparations for the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow are reaching their final stages, with most invited African leaders and regional integration heads having confirmed their attendance for the October 28–29, 2026 meetings.
Diplomatic preparations for the upcoming high-level gathering in the Russian capital are intensifying across multiple continents. Russian officials and foundation executives have briefed diplomatic missions on the logistical, protocol, and substantive arrangements for the summit and its accompanying economic forum (Eurasiareview).
The upcoming summit follows two previous gatherings: the inaugural meeting held in October 2019 in Sochi, co-chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin and then-African Union chairperson Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and the second summit held in St. Petersburg in August 2023 (Trendsnafrica).
Diplomatic Briefings in Moscow and Luanda
Senior Russian foreign ministry officials opened formal briefings for African ambassadors and diplomatic corps members in Moscow to outline the schedule for the Third Russia–Africa Summit and the concurrent Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum (Businesspost).
To date, most of the African leaders and heads of regional integration organizations invited to Moscow have confirmed their participation in the forthcoming meeting.
Georgy Borisenko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
Similar outreach efforts have taken place outside Russia.
Agenda and Thematic Tracks at Gostiny Dvor
The Economic and Humanitarian Forum will center its main events at Gostiny Dvor in Moscow, hosting approximately 40 panel sessions (Eurasiareview). The structured business program comprises four primary tracks:
- Sovereignty as the Foundation of Sustainable Development
- Economy of a Sovereign World Order
- Social and Humanitarian Cooperation and Human Capital
- Technologies and Innovations to Improve Quality of Life
Expanded Forum Events and Business Networking
Alongside the primary plenary sessions, the program includes specialized sectoral gatherings.
I am confident that the assistance of diplomatic staff will make an important contribution to the success of the Russia–Africa events and to the further development of Russian-African cooperation.
Alexandra Ogneva, Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation
Government and Business Representatives Receive Event Invitations
Invitation campaigns remain active for government representatives, business community members, and specialist organizations, allowing delegates to participate in any events on the official program (Eurasiareview).
These preparatory steps build upon structured high-level consultations held earlier in the year. On July 7, 2026, African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation met in Addis Ababa (ӧu). That meeting reviewed progress under the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding on Basic Principles of Relations and Cooperation, as well as the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Action Plan and the Russia-AU Commission Action Plan for 2023–2026, while addressing broader multilateral concerns such as disproportionate debt burden, high cost of capital, limited access to concessional financing, and vulnerability to external economic shocks faced by many African countries (ӧu).