By Makiza Micheline Latifa
MOSCOW, RUSSIA- Russia’s approach to economic cooperation with African countries should extend beyond the supply of finished products to building local expertise, transferring technology and strengthening domestic productive capacity, as discussions at the Russia-Africa Media Forum place economic development at the centre of preparations for the Third Russia-Africa Summit.
The media forum, held at the National Centre Russia in Moscow, forms part of the press tour programme for foreign media representatives attending the summit scheduled for October 28–29, 2026.
Addressing the forum, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation, Maxim Oreshkin, presented Russia’s approach to international partnerships under the theme “Russia–Africa: Unlocking the Potential of Every African Country Together.” The sub-theme, “Africa: The Future Engine of Global Growth,” placed the continent’s economic potential at the centre of discussions.
The presentation highlighted the importance of co-creation and sovereign management, with Russia seeking to work alongside national partners while transferring the capabilities required to operate and sustain systems independently.
The approach raises a broader question about the future of Russia-Africa economic relations: how can cooperation move beyond the importation of technologies and finished products to ensure African countries acquire the technical expertise, skills and productive capacity needed to develop and sustain their own industries?
For African economies seeking to accelerate industrialisation, the distinction is significant. While access to foreign technologies and products can support development, building domestic capacity also requires technical training, knowledge transfer and opportunities for local industries to participate in production and innovation.
Strengthening these capabilities could help African countries build more resilient industries, develop local expertise and increase their capacity to determine their own economic priorities.
The emphasis on unlocking the potential of every African country also raises questions about how partnerships can respond to the different development needs and industrial priorities of countries across the continent.
Mahama’s Participation Brings Ghana-Russia Relations into Focus
President John Dramani Mahama is in Moscow to participate in the Third Russia-Africa Summit, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
President Mahama’s itinerary includes engagements with fellow African leaders at the Economic and Humanitarian Forum and summit plenary sessions, alongside high-level bilateral talks with President Putin.
The President is also scheduled to engage Russian businesses and state institutions to explore opportunities for advancing bilateral cooperation. These discussions could provide an avenue to examine potential areas of collaboration in trade, investment, technology and other fields relevant to Ghana’s development priorities.
Beyond the political and economic engagements, President Mahama is expected to attend a Kente exhibition organised by the Russia–Ghana Parliamentary Forum, highlighting Ghana’s cultural heritage. He is also scheduled to receive honorary doctorate degrees from the Russian University of Transport and Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia.
Ghana’s participation adds a bilateral dimension to the wider summit discussions, placing attention on how engagement between Russia and individual African countries can translate into practical opportunities for economic and institutional cooperation.
For Ghana, the significance of these engagements will ultimately depend on the outcomes they produce, including whether discussions with Russian businesses and state institutions create opportunities that strengthen local expertise, productive capacity and economic development.
From Cooperation to Concrete Outcomes
As preparations continue for the Third Russia-Africa Summit, the discussions place attention on how economic cooperation can translate into practical outcomes that strengthen productive capacity and support long-term development.
The summit, scheduled for October 28–29, is a major gathering in Russia-Africa relations, bringing renewed attention to the opportunities and challenges shaping cooperation between Russia and African countries.
For the continent, a key measure of such partnerships will be whether they deliver more than access to external markets and products, and whether they also help build the skills, knowledge and industrial foundations required for African countries to shape their own economic futures.