Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared that a multipolar world order is emerging, with the era of global decisions being determined by a narrow bloc of countries coming to an end.
He made the remarks at the plenary session of the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in Moscow on Wednesday, attended by President John Dramani Mahama and other African leaders. "We are witnessing a Multipolar World truly becoming a reality, and this trend is objective and irreversible," President Putin said.
He said the forum’s agenda and its commitment to "free and open dialogue" reflected the scale of the transformation in global affairs, adding that the emerging order should allow the voices of all countries to be heard.
President Putin said the BRICS countries had accounted for more than 40 per cent of global Gross Domestic Product over the past five years, compared with less than 30 per cent for the Group of Seven. He said the balance would continue to shift in favour of developing countries.
He said Africa was increasingly asserting itself as a major force in global economic and political affairs, with growing sovereignty and influence on the world stage. "The continent is experiencing a new awakening: its sovereignty is growing stronger, and its influence and standing on the world stage are increasing," he said.
President Putin said Africans were determined to defend their interests, shape their future and choose their own paths of development. Quoting Thomas Sankara, the late President of Burkina Faso, he described debt as a form of neo-colonialism, citing Sankara's remark that "Debt is neo-colonialism, in which colonizers have transformed themselves into 'technical assistants'." President Putin argued that debt, under conditions dominated by imperialism, could be used to constrain Africa's growth and development.
Trade and food security
On trade and food security, President Putin said Russia was a major supplier of agricultural products to Africa, with more than 40 African countries receiving Russian fertilisers and grain. He said Russia exported about 13 million tonnes of agricultural products to Africa in the first nine months of 2026 and was ready to expand the reach of its agricultural supplies.
President Putin also offered to share Russian expertise in technology and digital innovation with African countries, saying cooperation could help strengthen technological capabilities across the continent.
Energy and education
"Our shared interest lies in improving Africans' access to affordable, sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources and helping develop domestic energy markets in Africa, including in areas where Russia possesses unique technologies. This work is already under way," he said, noting that more than 30 energy projects were being jointly implemented in 16 African countries.
On education, President Putin said the number of African students studying in Russia had increased by 50 per cent since 2020, while the number of Russian scholarships available to African students had almost tripled. About 40,000 African students were studying at Russian universities, he said, adding that the scholarship quota for the 2026–2027 academic year had risen to 5,500 places. President Putin said Russia was interested in expanding trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation with all African countries.
The two-day forum, which ends on Thursday, October 29, provides a platform for discussions on trade, energy, technology, peace and security, and sustainable development, as Russia and African countries seek to deepen their relations.
