Putin: Russia Opens 8 New African Embassies, Total Hits 48
Addressing the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, Putin said African nations are also growing their own diplomatic footprint in Russia, and he framed the embassy expansion as a deliberate, methodical push.
“I’d like to mention the systematic steps taken by the Russian side to expand its diplomatic presence on the continent. Since the previous summit in 2023, eight new Russian embassies have begun work in African states, and their total number has reached 48,” he said.
Three more African countries are preparing to join the trend. Putin voiced backing for Botswana, Seychelles and Togo as they plan to establish embassies in the Russian capital.
“We also know of the intentions of Botswana, Seychelles, and Togo to open their embassies in Moscow in the near future and, naturally, we support this,” he said.
The Russian leader then turned to commerce, pointing to a growing network of trade missions as evidence of Moscow’s deepening economic reach across the continent.
“So far, there are only six of them, but their activities cover 16 African countries,” he said.
Fertilizer shipments are climbing as well. Russian mineral fertilizer deliveries to Africa totaled roughly 1.5 million tons last year and have already passed 2.2 million tons in the current year, Putin said.
On finance, he said the ruble now accounts for as much as 85% of Russian-African commercial transactions, a share he presented as a shield against outside interference.
“The share of the ruble in Russian-African commercial transactions already stands at up to 85%. This makes it possible to protect our economic exchanges from external influence,” he said.
Putin added that Moscow is interested in moving some production facilities to Africa as external pressure mounts, but stressed that any such decisions must stay in the hands of sovereign African governments.
The third Russia-Africa summit and the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum are taking place in Moscow.
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