On October 28, 2026, Mali's President of the Transition, General Assimi Goïta, participated in the opening ceremony of the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in Moscow. The event, co-chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, focused on deepening cooperation between Russia and African nations. The forum's theme, "Cooperation for Sovereign Development," sought to promote balanced partnerships based on mutual respect, trust, and solidarity.
In his opening address, President Putin emphasized Russia's commitment to enhancing cooperation with African countries in strategic sectors such as energy, agriculture, industry, transportation, digital technology, artificial intelligence, and scientific research. He also highlighted the importance of humanitarian cooperation, particularly in education, healthcare, culture, and youth training. Putin expressed his ambition to increase trade between Russia and Africa to over $50 billion, citing a 2025 trade volume of $27 billion, up from $18 billion in 2022.
President Évariste Ndayishimiye, speaking on behalf of the African Union, stressed the need for a partnership that addresses African aspirations and development priorities. He advocated for a more balanced cooperation that enables Africa to participate fully in wealth creation and economic transformation. Ndayishimiye called for a shift beyond an economic model based on raw material exports, emphasizing local resource transformation, technology transfer, skills development, job creation, and industrial capacity building.
The forum features approximately 40 sessions focused on key issues in Russia-Africa cooperation, grouped into thematic blocks: sovereignty as the foundation of sustainable development, economy of sovereign development, social cooperation and human capital, and technologies and innovations for improving quality of life. The sessions aim to foster dialogue and collaboration on pressing challenges facing Russia and Africa.
President Goïta's participation in the forum reflects Mali's interest in international dialogue and identifying economic opportunities aligned with national priorities. His attendance is part of Mali's efforts to explore cooperation possibilities that contribute to the development of productive sectors and enhance the country's capacities while respecting its sovereignty and strategic choices.
During the ceremony, President Putin guided state leaders and delegates through an exhibition showcasing key economic sectors, highlighting areas where Russia is willing to share expertise and develop joint initiatives with African partners. The exhibition demonstrated Russia's commitment to strengthening economic ties with Africa.
The Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum serves as a platform for Russia and Africa to explore new avenues for cooperation, investment, and economic growth. The event underscores the growing importance of Russia-Africa relations, with both sides seeking to enhance partnerships and address common challenges.
Key points
- President Assimi Goïta of Mali attends the Russia-Africa economic forum to strengthen partnerships and explore economic opportunities.
- The forum aims to promote balanced partnerships between Russia and African countries based on mutual respect and solidarity.
- Russia and Africa seek to increase trade and investment, with a goal of over $50 billion in trade volume.
