The third Russia-Africa Summit is set to open in Moscow on Wednesday, bringing together representatives of 48 African countries and Russia for high-level talks, Fana Media Corporation reported on October 27, citing Kremlin foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov.

Source: Fana Media Corporation, Oct 27

The two-day summit, scheduled for October 28-29, will be co-chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Burundi's President Évariste Ndayishimiye, Chairperson of the African Union, Fana reported. Ghana News 24, also reporting Ushakov's figures, said 48 of Africa's 54 UN-recognised countries had confirmed participation.

Source: Ghana News 24, Oct 26

A bigger leaders' turnout than in 2023

Ushakov said 22 of the participating countries will be represented by their heads of state, with the rest sending prime ministers, ministers or other senior officials, both reports said. That is an increase from the 17 leaders who attended the previous summit in St Petersburg in 2023. The first summit was held in Sochi in 2019.

The gathering is expected to address the evolving international order and Africa's growing role in global affairs, alongside practical measures to expand cooperation, Fana reported. Its agenda encompasses political relations, trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, food security, science, technology, education and humanitarian cooperation.

A central component will be the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, running alongside the summit, designed to bring together government officials, business leaders, financial institutions and experts to identify opportunities in trade, investment, industrial development, digitalisation, healthcare, education and technological innovation, Fana reported. Ghana News 24 added that Moscow will also host the eighth summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum on Tuesday, October 27, on the eve of the main summit.