Russia–Africa Media Forum Opens in Moscow With Call for Stronger Continental Media Unity

By Yamikani Simutowe, in Moscow, Russia

The Russia–Africa Media Forum opened on Monday, 26 October 2026, with a call for media institutions and professionals across Africa to begin sharing content that promotes unity and strengthens connections and partnerships among the continent’s diverse regions.

The forum has brought together more than 200 media professionals in Moscow ahead of the Russia–Africa Summit, scheduled for 28–29 October in the Russian capital.

The four‑day event, organized by RT International (Russian State TV network) in cooperation with the Sputnik and TASS news agencies, has convened media executives, journalists, and experts from Russia and African countries. It focuses on media cooperation, combating disinformation, and the role of journalism in shaping Africa’s image abroad.

On the first day, session topics included: Development of Cooperation in the Modern Era: New Platforms and Formats of Interaction; Africa Must Unite vs. Africa Is Not a Country: How Can Media Bring Together Diverse Parts of the Continent?; Rectors’ Dialogue: Journalism as a Bridge of Cooperation Between Russia and Africa in Education; and Training a New Generation of Media Professionals: The Experience of Russia and Africa.

Panelists, drawn from different African countries, included media executives and practitioners from Rwanda, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Egypt, Mali, Seychelles and Algeria, among.

They emphasized the need for partnerships, experience‑sharing, and the transfer of knowledge and technology between African media organizations and Russian news agencies.

Additionally, panelists encouraged African media houses to share content that highlights common interests, regional connections, and success stories, and to counter fragmentation by fostering narratives that portray Africa as interconnected rather than isolated regions.

They also said they are ready to enter into agreements and partnerships with international media organizations, provided such collaborations are mutually beneficial and based on equality.

Panelists further called for support in strengthening fact‑checking networks and professional standards, expanding training programs between Russian and African journalism universities, and building capacity in digital media, investigative reporting, and cross‑border storytelling.

They echoed the need for African media to tell their own stories internationally rather than relying on external narratives, and to highlight African achievements, innovation, and development to global audiences.

They also spoke against administrative obstacles that have historically prevented media organizations from exchanging content.

The media forum precedes several major events: the 8th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), the third Russia–Africa Summit, and the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, all taking place from 28 to 29 October 2026.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to co‑chair the plenary session on 29 October with Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, the current Chairperson of the African Union.

The 8th GECF Summit will take place on 27 October, bringing energy diplomacy into the week’s discussions. The gathering will address global market developments, energy security, and investment opportunities.

Putin is also expected to hold bilateral talks with African leaders, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet his African counterparts on 28 October. More than 2,000 guests are expected to attend the accompanying Economic and Humanitarian Forum.

The Russia–Africa Summit is aimed at strengthening Russia’s partnerships with African countries. It brings together heads of state, ministers, regional organizations, business leaders, and experts to negotiate agreements and set long‑term cooperation frameworks on trade, security, technology and Humanitarian development.

The first summit was held in Sochi in 2019 and the second in St. Petersburg in 2023.

Meanwhile, African leaders have begun arriving in Moscow ahead of the summit, including Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, and Mali’s transitional president, Assimi Goïta. Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo has also arrived in the Russian capital, along with delegations from Senegal, Ghana, and Uganda.