Former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has joined other African leaders at the Russia – Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in Moscow. The forum, which began on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, provides a platform for discussions on trade, energy, technology, peace and security, and sustainable development. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his address to the plenary session, called for a fairer multipolar world order and greater representation of developing countries in global affairs. He emphasized that the era of global decision-making dominated by a narrow bloc of countries was ending.
President Putin declared that a multipolar world was becoming a reality, describing the trend as objective and irreversible. He said Russia was committed to deepening its economic and humanitarian relations with African countries. The forum has brought together African leaders to engage in dialogue and cooperation on shared development priorities. According to President Putin, Russia exported more than 13 million tonnes of agricultural produce to Africa between January and September 2026. This underscores the importance of agricultural trade in relations between Russia and the continent.
The Russian President said the forum's commitment to "free and open dialogue" reflected the scale and depth of the ongoing transformation in global affairs. He emphasized that the emerging world order should ensure that the voices of all countries participating in international affairs were heard. President Putin cited economic trends, noting that the BRICS countries had accounted for more than 40 per cent of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the past five years. This compares with less than 30 per cent for the Group of Seven (G7).
President Putin expressed confidence that the balance would continue to shift in favour of developing countries. He noted that Africa was increasingly asserting itself as a major force in global economic and political affairs. The continent is experiencing growing sovereignty and international influence. According to President Putin, Africans had an unwavering determination to defend their interests, shape their future, and choose their own paths of development.
Quoting the late Thomas Sankara, former President of Burkina Faso, President Putin criticised debt as a form of neo-colonialism. Sankara described debt as a situation where colonizers had transformed themselves into 'technical assistants'. The two-day forum provides a platform for discussions on various development issues. It aims to explore ways to deepen economic and diplomatic relations between Russia and African countries.
The Russia – Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum has significant implications for global governance and international relations. President Putin's call for a fairer multipolar world order reflects the changing dynamics of global affairs. The forum has brought together African leaders to engage in dialogue and cooperation with Russia. This engagement is expected to yield positive outcomes for both Russia and African countries.
The forum's focus on trade, energy, technology, peace and security, and sustainable development is expected to yield positive outcomes for both Russia and African countries. The engagement between Russia and Africa is expected to grow, with potential benefits for global economic and political affairs. Former President Mahama's participation in the forum underscores Ghana's commitment to international cooperation and development.
Key points
- Former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama attends Russia-Africa forum
- Russia exported over 13 million tonnes of agricultural produce to Africa in 2026
- The forum aims to deepen economic and diplomatic relations between Russia and African countries
