Putin tells African leaders Russia will trade grain and goods, not just loans

Russian President Vladimir Putin told African leaders in Moscow on Wednesday that his country will expand its trade of agricultural goods and raw materials with the continent. He framed this expansion as an alternative to the debt structures used by Western nations.

Putin stated that Russia shipped 13 million metric tonnes of agricultural products to Africa in the first nine months of 2026. He told the delegations that Moscow plans to widen the geographical reach of these shipments. The goal is to increase the flow of food and other goods directly to African markets.

The Russian leader addressed 48 delegations from African countries. Twenty-two of these nations were represented by their heads of state. Putin said these leaders are key players in the global economy, though he noted that forming a multipolar world faces resistance from countries unwilling to accept that shift.

Putin criticized Western nations for using debt to slow African development. He described this as a form of exploitation. He said Russian business models avoid this by processing raw materials locally. This approach, he claimed, creates new jobs and generates tax revenue for African governments.

"Our business does not engage in the predatory, neo-colonial exploitation of natural and human resources," Putin said. He contrasted this with former colonial powers, which he said still try to hold the continent back through financial leverage.

The summit took place while attacks in the Black Sea disrupted grain exports from both Russia and Ukraine. A war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has also interrupted global fertilizer supplies. These disruptions make local processing and direct trade more critical for African food security.

Putin is scheduled to hold one-on-one meetings with the attending African leaders. Topics for these talks include trade agreements, security cooperation, grain supplies, and arms deals. The summit is set to conclude with a final declaration on deepening cooperation between Russia and African nations.