Vladimir Putin tells African leaders at plenary: “Define your own destiny”

At the Russia-Africa economic and humanitarian forum plenary on October 28, 2026, Vladimir Putin said the multipolar world had become an irreversible reality and countries should determine their own futures. He emphasized the growing influence of BRICS, saying its members generated more than 40% of global GDP over the past five years, compared with less than 30% for the G7. Putin described Africa as a major center of global politics and economics and urged African countries to defend their interests and choose their own development paths. He also cited projections that Africa’s population will exceed 2.5 billion by 2050 and pointed to opportunities for cooperation across several sectors.