Preparations for Third Russia–Africa Summit

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

Russia’s Foreign Ministry and the Roscongress Foundation briefed African ambassadors on the Third Russia–Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum in Moscow, Oct. 28–29, 2026. Deputy FM Georgy Borisenko said content, protocol, and logistics are in a final phase and that most invited African leaders and regional-integration heads have confirmed.

The forum (about 40 panels at Gostiny Dvor) is to track AU Agenda 2063, with extra weight on water and sanitation—the AU’s 2026 theme. Also planned: a media forum for African news chiefs, a youth forum at MGIMO, a business-contacts exchange, and an exhibition.

Invitations to governments, firms, and specialist groups are open; journalists can apply for accreditation through the Presidential Press Office until Sept. 30. Roscongress’s Alexandra Ogneva thanked embassy staff for help.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Roscongress Foundation have held a briefing for ambassadors and representatives of the African diplomatic corps on preparations for the Third Russia–Africa Summit, the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, and other Russia–Africa events, which will take place in Moscow, from 28 to 29 October, 2026.

The briefing was opened by Georgy Borisenko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. He noted that preparations for the Third Russia–Africa Summit are in their final stages, both in terms of content and technical and protocol arrangements. “To date, most of the African leaders and heads of regional integration organisations invited to Moscow have confirmed their participation in the forthcoming meeting,” Borisenko emphasised.

The programme structure of the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum will shortly be made available, while the central venue will be Gostiny Dvor. The programme of the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum includes around 40 panel sessions, whose themes will largely reflect the priorities of Agenda 2063 and other strategic documents adopted by the African Union and other African regional organisations. Particular attention will be paid to sustainable access to water, in line with the African Union’s continent-wide theme for 2026 of ensuring sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems.

The Russia–Africa Media Forum, with the participation of the heads of African media, and the Russia–Africa Youth Forum at MGIMO University of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also take place.

The invitation campaign for the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum is now underway. Those invited include representatives of government bodies, the business community, and specialist organisations. During the Forum, heads and members of delegations will be able to take part in any of the events on its programme.

In her address, Alexandra Ogneva, Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation, thanked representatives of African embassies in the Russian Federation for their active work and assistance to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Roscongress Foundation in preparing the Russia–Africa events. “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,” Ogneva noted.

At the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, a business networking space will be organised for representatives of the Russian and African business communities in the format of a business contacts exchange. An extensive exhibition programme will be presented.

Until 30 September 2026, the Accreditation Department of the Presidential Press and Information Office is accepting applications from journalists wishing to cover the Third Russia–Africa Summit and the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum. Journalists’ accreditation is handled via the Kremlin website.