The third Russia-Africa Summit was held in Moscow this week, with delegations from 48 African nations in attendance. This event coincides with Russia facing sanctions and growing isolation due to its conflict in Ukraine, as African governments seek security assistance from Moscow. Geopolitical analyst Priyal Singh noted to RFI that, despite this engagement, Russia still falls short of China in terms of influence on the continent.
During his address, President Vladimir Putin presented Russia as an alternative partner for Africa, contrasting its approach with that of traditional allies, whom he referred to as a “narrow bloc of states” that shape global affairs. Singh highlighted that China’s extensive investments in Africa, valued at $348 billion in 2025, vastly overshadow Russia’s $27 billion contributions.
Singh explained the differences between the two powers, stating that China has established longstanding commercial ties with numerous African nations, while Russia retreated from the continent after the Soviet Union’s fall, only recently attempting to regain influence. Moscow is perceived as looking to Africa as a vital area to circumvent Western sanctions, yet it remains considerably behind China and other global powers such as India in terms of economic engagement.
In regions like the Sahel, Russia adopts a noticeable security role, providing military support and working closely with local governments. In contrast, its longstanding ties in Southern Africa are more focused on commercial interests rather than security. Singh emphasized there is no overt competition between China and Russia in Africa; instead, the rivalry primarily involves these nations against Western influences, particularly from the European Union and the United States.
African nations are not naive about their interactions with Russia; they seek investment and partnerships to support their development and industrialisation. Singh remarked that African leadership is open to offers from various global players, and the competition among these powers ultimately benefits African countries.
While Russia’s security focus is strongest in the Sahel, it has struggled to extend its influence beyond that region, despite efforts to diversify its engagements into energy and infrastructure development. Singh stressed that Russia can achieve significant returns from smaller investments compared to its larger competitors, gaining influence through targeted strategies rather than extensive financial commitments.
Overall, the summit reflects a shift since the first meeting in 2019, as African nations are now more inclined to engage with a variety of global partners to secure the best deals, irrespective of past political alliances. This pragmatism highlights a significant change in the current geopolitical landscape.
