Russia Better Partner For Africa Than ‘Colonial West’, Putin Says

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described Russia as a greater associate for Africa than Western international locations, accusing the West of exploiting the continent’s assets and utilizing debt to hinder its growth.

Putin made the remarks on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, on the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, the place he sought to strengthen Russia’s political and financial ties with African international locations.

He accused Western international locations of sustaining a colonial mindset in direction of Africa and resisting a shift in direction of a multipolar world during which African nations would have better affect.

Putin stated some Western international locations used debt and monetary help on unfavourable phrases to constrain African growth, in keeping with Reuters.

He contrasted this with Russia’s method, arguing that Russian companies supported native processing of uncooked supplies fairly than merely extracting assets for export.

“Our business does not engage in the predatory, neo-colonial exploitation of natural and human resources, but rather expands the processing of raw materials locally, thereby creating new jobs and generating tax revenue,” he stated.

Putin additionally known as for better African illustration in worldwide monetary establishments, together with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

He stated Russia was able to broaden cooperation with African international locations in agriculture, transport infrastructure and know-how.

The Russian chief stated Russia provided 13 million tonnes of agricultural merchandise to Africa within the first 9 months of 2026 and that about 40,000 Africans had been finding out at Russian universities.

The summit is a part of Moscow’s efforts to deepen its financial and safety relationships throughout Africa because it seeks to counter Western affect amid persevering with tensions over its struggle in Ukraine.

Russia has strengthened ties with a number of African governments, significantly within the Sahel, the place Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have moved away from some conventional Western safety companions.