Russian President Vladimir Putin has described Africa as a rapidly emerging force in global affairs and renewed Moscow’s commitment to deepening political, economic, and strategic ties with the continent, using a message to African heads of state on Africa Day 2026 to lay the groundwork for a third Russia-Africa Summit scheduled for October in Moscow.

Putin praised Africa’s growing influence in international diplomacy and what he described as the continent’s determination to shape a new global order based on equality and mutual respect. He said African nations had made significant progress in economic growth, regional cooperation, and social development despite global pressures and security challenges, and that they were increasingly becoming central players in resolving pressing international issues.

He specifically commended the African Union and sub-regional organization’s for strengthening continental integration and developing collective mechanisms to address conflicts and crises across the continent. He said Russia and Africa were united by a shared vision of a fairer international system free from domination and external interference.

The message came as Russia was intensifying its diplomatic and economic engagement across Africa amid intensifying competition among global powers for influence on the continent. Putin said he looked forward to welcoming African leaders in Moscow in October and expressed confidence that the summit would deepen cooperation across trade, energy, security, education, technology, and infrastructure.