Ghana’s President, African Leaders to attend Russia-Africa summit -By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to attend the forthcoming third Russia-Africa Summit (October 28–29) in Moscow, will further strengthen bilateral relations and explore economic partnerships. His participation focuses on securing investments in agribusiness, energy security, and digital technology, while advancing Ghana’s foreign policy interests in a multipolar world.

At the 17th international economic event ‘Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum’ that was held from May 12 to 17, Ghana’s Ambassador to Russia, Dr. Koma Jehu-Appiah, confirmed in a response to a media query by TASS, that his president had already agreed to attend the third Summit. “He will fly to Russia in October for the summit; this has been confirmed,” the diplomat said on the sidelines of the Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum event.

According to a decree issued by the Russian president on March 25, the third Russia-Africa Summit and other events of this kind will be held in Moscow in 2026. The Russian leader ordered the creation of an organizing committee to prepare and host the summit, which will be headed by his aide Yury Ushakov.

Russia and Africa are forging a new framework of cooperation, and Moscow plans to host third Summit in autumn 2026. The key reasons for Ghanaian President John Mahama’s attendance include:

Deepening Trade and Investment: Strengthening commercial ties in areas like pharmaceuticals, technology, and regional industry under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Energy and Food Security: Collaborating on sustainable energy development and addressing shared economic challenges impacting African nations.

Sovereignty and Multilateralism: Engaging in discussions that promote a more equitable global governance structure and support Africa’s strategic independence.

According to a decree issued by the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, on March 25, the third Russia-Africa Summit will be held in Moscow in autumn 2026. In late May, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Yury Ushakov, noted that Russia and African nations continue to have positive momentum in their cooperation despite the complex international environment. The Summits held in 2019 and 2023 reaffirmed the high level of mutual interest and marked a major milestone in strengthening Russia’s relations with the countries of Africa.

As part of preparations for the Summit, Russian and African officials continue efforts to strengthen the institutional framework for cooperation, establish new mechanisms for collaboration, expand Russia’s diplomatic presence across the continent, and prepare agreements for the creation of intergovernmental commissions. They plan to pay particular attention to issues concerning trade, investment, logistics, energy, food security, high technology, and humanitarian cooperation.

Plans are also being finalized for the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, which will serve as a platform for coming up with concrete initiatives that aim to intensify cooperation in such sectors as the economy, trade, investment, culture, education, and technology.

Officials specifically emphasized the need to prepare an economic agenda for the Summit with a practical focus. The Organizing Committee members said African nations are interested in localizing manufacturing, developing infrastructure and digital services, workforce training, as well as expanding cooperation in industry, pharmaceuticals, and artificial intelligence.

“Contacts between Russia and African nations are intensifying at the highest levels. Our partners have repeatedly expressed a special interest in expanding trade and investment cooperation. So, the plan is for the agenda of the third Summit to be built around economic issues,” Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Georgy Borisenko, said.

The third Russia–Africa Summit will provide significant momentum in further strengthening Russia’s strategic partnership with African countries, expanding economic and humanitarian ties, and advancing joint initiatives within the emerging multipolar world. The key benchmarks and goals for the next stage of Russia–Africa relations are expected to be enshrined in a new strategic Action Plan for the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum covering the years 2027–2029.

Russia and Africa have, previously, held two Summits: in October 2019 and in July 2023, which in practical terms reaffirmed the high level of mutual bilateral interest and cooperation, and that also marked a major milestone in strengthening Russia’s relations with the countries of Africa.
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