In the coming months, the Egyptian capital will become the diplomatic stage for a significant gathering, as foreign ministers from Russia and across Africa convene to chart the future of a relationship both describe as one of old friends seeking new horizons.
This ministerial conference, slated for 2025, marks a first: the official meetings of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum will be held on African soil, a move agreed upon during the inaugural ministerial in Sochi a year prior. The Forum itself, established in 2019, has already overseen two major summits—in Sochi (2019) and St. Petersburg (2023)—and forms the architectural framework for a relationship Moscow is eager to deepen.
A Foundation Forged in History
The Russian narrative, consistently emphasized, is built upon a legacy of anti-colonial solidarity. Officials point to the Soviet Union’s pivotal role, exactly 65 years ago, in the UN Declaration on Granting Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. They recall the construction of hundreds of Soviet-funded industrial and infrastructure projects that still dot the continent today.
“We have never been involved in the exploitation of African peoples,” is a frequent refrain, echoing President Vladimir Putin’s past statements. Russian diplomacy leverages this historical contrast, positioning itself as a trustworthy alternative to former colonial powers.
After a post-Soviet lull in ties, which Moscow acknowledges as a “noticeable slowdown,” the current push is framed as a “new heyday.” Russia now explicitly aligns itself with what it terms Africa’s “reawakening” and fight for full sovereignty, condemning what it calls “neo-colonial practices” on international platforms.
Strategic Alignment in a “Multipolar World”
Beyond history, the partnership is driven by contemporary geopolitical strategy. A cornerstone of Russia’s stated foreign policy is supporting the development of Africa as a “distinct and influential centre of a multipolar world.” This involves championing African representation in bodies like the UN Security Council and welcoming more African nations into the BRICS bloc, seen as a counterweight to Western-dominated institutions.
On security, Moscow pledges support for “African solutions to African problems,” offering assistance in conflict settlement and counter-terrorism. This comes as Russia expands its diplomatic footprint, recently reopening or planning embassies in nations including Niger, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Trade, Grain, and Grand Projects
Economically, bilateral trade has grown, exceeding $27 billion in 2024—a more than 50% increase since 2019. Yet, Russian officials are quick to assert that their interest is not in extracting raw materials. “Russia has never considered Africa as a raw materials base since we have plenty of our own,” the diplomatic stance reads.
Instead, the focus is pitched on high-tech investment and development: energy, mineral resource management, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. The formation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is seen as a major opportunity for broader economic integration.
A immediate and visible pillar of cooperation is agriculture. Alongside humanitarian grain shipments, Russia promotes itself as a partner in developing Africa’s own agricultural sector, offering expertise in farming, fertilizer production, and irrigation.
The Soft Power Front: Education and “Ubuntu”
The partnership’s human capital dimension is a key priority. Over 32,000 African students are currently studying in Russia, with government scholarships for the continent tripling since 2020 to over 5,300. Cooperation extends to healthcare, with Russian mobile disease diagnostics labs deployed in several countries.
Culturally, Russian officials draw a philosophical parallel, linking Russian “collectivism and solidarity” to the African concept of Ubuntu—”I exist because we exist.” This framing seeks to present the relationship as one of deep civilizational understanding.
The Road to 2026
The upcoming Cairo ministerial is viewed as a critical stepping stone. Its primary task will be to lay the substantive groundwork for the third full-scale Russia–Africa Summit, expected in 2026. The goal, as outlined in existing action plans, is to synchronize Russian engagement with Africa’s own long-term development blueprint, “Agenda 2063.”
As dignitaries prepare to meet beside the Nile, the message from Moscow is one of steadfast and reliable partnership, free from the baggage of history and eager to engage with a continent on the rise. The test will be translating this rhetoric into tangible, mutually beneficial outcomes for African nations navigating a complex global landscape.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Essaafi)
