Tanzania attends Africa-Russia Summit, Putin opens it with call for global order based on fairness, equality

MOSCOW: PRIME Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has attended the opening of the Third Africa-Russia Summit of Heads of State and Government, officially inaugurated by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

According to a statement from the Kremlin, 48 African countries are participating in the summit, with 22 heads of state among the delegates. Participating institutions include the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Putin emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation between Russia and African countries to build an international order based on fairness and equality.

On economic matters, Putin said Russia aims to expand domestic processing of raw materials and the production of finished goods, a move also intended to create more jobs.

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Addressing digital financial systems, he said the technology could improve cross-border payment services and increase the efficiency of financial transactions between countries.

Putin also toured exhibition pavilions accompanied by several African leaders attending the summit. The exhibitions showcased opportunities for cooperation in industry, agriculture, energy, transport, finance, digital technology, communications, health and education.

Putin said Russia and the African Union Commission were seeking to strengthen their relationship and give fresh impetus to cooperation, following previous summits held in Sochi in 2019 and St Petersburg in 2023.