Kiir urges robust Russia-Africa economic partnership at Moscow summit

South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit lauded Russian President Vladimir Putin for hosting the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow and emphasized the importance of strengthening friendship and cooperation between South Sudan and the Russian Federation, the Office of the President said.

The two-day summit, held on October 28-29, brought together delegations from 48 African countries, including about 20 heads of state and government. It was co-chaired by President Putin and Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye, the current Chairperson of the African Union.

Addressing the summit, President Kiir said today’s changing global environment requires a deeper strategic partnership between Russia and Africa, as well as concerted efforts to build a fairer international order; one that guarantees equality among nations and protects the interests of all peoples without discrimination.

Russian President Putin framed the summit as part of a wider global shift toward multipolarity.

“We are witnessing a multipolar world becoming a reality, a trend that is both objective and irreversible,” he said. “The era when the destinies of entire continents were determined by a narrow bloc of states is coming to an irreversible end. It is being replaced by a more just world, in which the voices of all nations participating in international affairs must be heard.”

Putin also called for a stronger African voice in global financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and said Russia was ready to expand grain and fertilizer supplies to African countries.

The summit’s discussions focused on practical areas of cooperation, including artificial intelligence, industrialization, technology transfer, banking and payment systems, trade, energy, food security, healthcare, education, and security cooperation.

Russia proposed closer banking ties, greater use of national currencies in trade, and cooperation in AI, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and healthcare.

African Union Chairperson President Ndayishimiye strongly emphasized that Africa was not attending the summit as a continent seeking handouts. He stressed that African countries came to accelerate their own development and to seek value-added partnerships, cooperation that supports local processing of resources, industrialization, infrastructure, job creation, and greater self-reliance.

His message was echoed by many African leaders, who repeatedly called for partnerships based on mutual respect rather than the extraction of raw materials. They emphasized that Africa wants support for education, healthcare, technology, industrial capacity, and infrastructure through a multilateral approach, so that African nations can add value to their own resources and benefit more fully from global trade.

Kiir further called for increased mutual investment, highlighting opportunities in South Sudan’s agriculture, petroleum, mining, and tourism sectors, which are supported by the country’s diverse natural resources.

He said South Sudan is ready to welcome Russian and international investors, stressing that natural resources must be harnessed responsibly to deliver mutual benefits and sustainable economic development.

President Kiir also expressed South Sudan’s support for the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Action Plan for 2027-2029, which is intended to expand cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, humanitarian affairs, and political and security matters.

The summit is also expected to adopt a declaration on civilian applications of artificial intelligence.

South Sudan’s participation in the summit forms part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen bilateral relations with Russia and expand opportunities for economic cooperation, investment, and technology transfer.

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