The African continent is becoming one of the pillars of the emerging multipolar world order, and Africa’s role in global politics will continue to grow in the future. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a meeting of the Council of Heads of Constituent Entities of the Russian Federation under the Foreign Ministry.
“African countries seek to move towards managing their resources and wealth primarily in their national interests, while remaining open to international co-operation. The African continent is becoming one of the pillars of the emerging multipolar world order and will play an increasingly significant role in global politics, the economy and finance,” the minister said, as quoted by TASS.
Lavrov also stated that in its contacts with African partners, Russia observes a “second awakening” of Africa and a striving for sovereignty in all spheres. He stressed that the region is a “continent of the future with enormous wealth” that until recently could not be fully used for the benefit of African peoples.
The foreign minister noted that countries of the region “are waiting” for Russia, and that partnership with them is one of the key priorities of Russia’s policy.
“In Africa, they are quite clearly waiting for us — our friends on the continent tell us this regularly — and these expectations must be met. This area is undoubtedly of strategic importance for us. It is one of our key foreign policy priorities,” Lavrov added.
He also said that during the ministerial meeting of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum in Cairo, which will take place on 19–20 December, participants will discuss preparations for the third Russia–Africa summit, scheduled for 2026.
Earlier in December, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the conference in Cairo would pay special attention to trade, economic and investment co-operation.
The ministerial meeting of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum had initially been planned for 18–19 November; however, the Director of the African Partnership Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Tatyana Dovgalenko, later announced its postponement. In early December, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the event would take place on 19–20 December.
The first ministerial meeting of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum was held in Sochi on 9–10 November 2024.
