Russian President Vladimir Putin and African leaders outlined plans to expand trade, strengthen sovereignty, and turn longstanding ties into investment and industrial growth

Delegations from 48 African countries, including 21 leaders, gathered in Moscow for the third Russia-Africa Summit under the motto “For Peace, Security and Development.” The gathering concluded on Thursday with a final declaration and a new cooperation plan. Organizers reported 146 documents signed across the Summit and its accompanying economic, humanitarian and media forums, comprising 92 agreements and 54 memorandums.

More than 3,500 participants from 74 countries attended, including over 1,200 business representatives from around 630 companies.The forum hosted more than 40 sessions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has already held at least nine bilateral meetings with African leaders, including the presidents of Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Kenya, as well as Ethiopian…