Togo's President Faure Gnassingbé is set to attend the third Russia-Africa summit in Moscow on October 28-29, 2026. The summit will bring together African leaders and delegations to discuss trade, security, and investment. This will be Gnassingbé's third participation in the summit, which serves as a high-level political, economic, and strategic forum. Over 30 countries have confirmed their participation in the event.
The summit's agenda includes discussions on energy security, water resources, agriculture, health, education, and scientific, technical, and cultural cooperation. The event will be co-chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Evariste Ndayishimiye, the current Chair of the African Union. The summit is expected to conclude with a political declaration, a new tripartite action plan for 2027-2029, and a statement on cooperation in the use of artificial intelligence for civilian purposes.
The participation of Togolese President Gnassingbé in the summit is part of Togo's ongoing diplomatic efforts with international partners. This follows a recent visit to China and continues Lomé's engagement with global powers amid a diversification of political and economic partnerships in Africa. According to Igor Evdokimov, Russian Ambassador to Togo, the summit will provide a platform for discussions on cooperation between Russia and African countries.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has raised concerns about the recruitment of African nationals, including Togolese, to fight alongside Russian forces. Investigations have revealed that recruiters target young men with promises of high salaries and employment opportunities in security or manual labor. A report by the French OSINT project "All Eyes on Wagner" states that 18 Togolese nationals were recruited, with three confirmed killed in combat.
The US Department of State's 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report on Togo notes that at least five Togolese nationals were lured to Russia via the internet under the guise of education but were forced to fight in Ukraine. The report also highlights the risks of forced recruitment of young people by violent extremist groups in the Savanes region.
In October 2025, Togo and Russia ratified a military cooperation agreement, which includes training and exercises. The agreement allows Russia access to the port of Lomé, a deep-water facility that can accommodate military cargo ships. This enables Russia to transport military equipment to Sahel Alliance countries, including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
The presence of Russian military instructors in Togo has been confirmed by Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, who stated that they are training Togolese forces to use Russian military equipment. While the opposition has suggested the presence of mercenaries, Dussey clarified that there are no Russian mercenaries in the country. The third Russia-Africa summit's outcomes will be closely watched as global powers increasingly compete for influence in Africa.
Key points
- Togo's President Faure Gnassingbé to attend third Russia-Africa summit in Moscow
- Russia-Togo military cooperation agreement allows for training and exercises
- Concerns raised about recruitment of African nationals to fight in Russia-Ukraine conflict
