President Mahama to attend Russia-Africa summit

By Kestér Kenn KLOMEGÂH

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to attend the forthcoming third Russia-Africa Summit (October 28–29) in Moscow, will further strengthen bilateral relations and explore economic partnerships. His participation will focus on securing investments in agribusiness, energy security, and digital technology, while advancing broadly Ghana’s foreign policy interests with Russia.

At the 17th international economic event ‘Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum’ that was held from May 12 to 17, Ghana’s Ambassador to Russia, Dr. Koma Jehu-Appiah, confirmed in response to a media query by the local Russian media TASS, that his president had already agreed to attend the third Summit.

“He will fly to Russia in October for the summit; this has been confirmed,” the diplomat said on the sidelines of the Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum event.

According to a decree issued by the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, on March 25, the third Russia-Africa Summit and other events of this kind will be held in Moscow in 2026. Putin has ordered the creation of an organising committee to prepare and host the summit, which is headed by his aide Yury Ushakov.

Russia and Africa are forging a new framework of cooperation, and Moscow plans to host third Summit in autumn 2026. The key reasons for Ghanaian President John Mahama’s attendance include:

Deepening Trade and Investment: Strengthening commercial ties in areas like pharmaceuticals, technology, and regional industry under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Energy and Food Security: Collaborating on sustainable energy development and addressing shared economic challenges impacting African nations, including the Republic of Ghana.

Sovereignty and Multilateralism: Engaging in discussions that promote a more equitable global governance structure and support Africa’s strategic independence.

According to a decree issued by the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, on March 25, the third Russia-Africa Summit is planned in autumn 2026. In late May, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Organising Committee, Yury Ushakov, noted that Russia and African nations continue to have positive momentum in their cooperation despite the complex international environment.

As part of preparations for the Summit, Russian and African officials continue efforts to strengthen the institutional framework for cooperation, establish new mechanisms for collaboration, expand Russia’s diplomatic presence across the continent, and prepare agreements for the creation of intergovernmental commissions. They plan to pay particular attention to issues concerning trade, investment, logistics, energy, food security, high technology, and humanitarian cooperation.

Plans are also being finalised for the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, which will serve as a platform for coming up with concrete initiatives that aim to intensify cooperation in such sectors as the economy, trade, investment, culture, education, and technology.

The third Russia–Africa Summit will provide significant momentum in further strengthening Russia’s strategic partnership with African countries, expanding economic and humanitarian ties, and advancing joint initiatives within the emerging multipolar world. The key benchmarks and goals for the next stage of Russia–Africa relations are expected to be enshrined in a new strategic Action Plan for the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum covering the years 2027–2029.

Russia and Africa have, previously, held two Summits: in October 2019 and in July 2023, which both, in practical terms, reaffirmed the high level of mutual bilateral interest and cooperation, and that also marked distinctive milestones in strengthening Russia’s relations with the countries of Africa.

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