Russia and the African Union have adopted the Action Plan of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum for 2027–2029, setting out a framework for cooperation across 19 areas over the next three years.
The plan was signed by AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, building on the Memorandum of Understanding on the Basic Principles of Relations and Cooperation. The framework underscores the importance of sustained political dialogue, institutional engagement and coordination on regional and international issues, including cooperation within the United Nations.
Peace and security remain important pillars of the partnership, with proposed activities focusing on counterterrorism, combating transnational organised crime, exchanging expertise and strengthening institutional capacities in support of the AU’s Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2030 initiative. The Action Plan also identifies science, technology and innovation as important areas for collaboration, particularly artificial intelligence, digital transformation, cybersecurity and space technology.
Proposed initiatives include joint research and the development of AI-enabled early-warning systems for conflict risks, public health emergencies and natural disasters. Cooperation will also encompass energy, transport infrastructure, agriculture, water resources management, climate change adaptation, healthcare, humanitarian affairs, education, trade, investment and financial cooperation.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, addressing the summit’s plenary session, said the success of the Russia-Africa partnership is measured by the ability to translate political and economic understandings into tangible outcomes and sustainable projects. He welcomed the 2027–2029 action plan as a framework for strengthening the strategic partnership and developing areas of joint cooperation, outlining Egypt’s vision for development in Africa across five pillars including strategic corridors, intra-African trade, energy interconnection, food security and telecommunications.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the action plan contains an extensive list of specific goals for developing ties with African countries in economic, trade, social and humanitarian spheres, with the current level of Russian-African trade turnover at $27 billion described as “far from the limit.” The plan includes 236 points, with security the most prominent after politics, and sets out priorities, financial mechanisms, a calendar and timetable for implementing agreements.
The AU emphasised that the document establishes a cooperation framework rather than a legally binding agreement, creating no rights or obligations under international law. The plan promotes capacity-building, knowledge-sharing, academic partnerships and the development of technical expertise in AU member states, alongside exchanges in culture, sports and youth engagement.
For Africa, the challenge now is to ensure the action plan delivers tangible results, with leaders calling for increased investment in industry, agriculture, energy, logistics and technology, alongside an expansion of skills transfer and human resource training. The framework will be implemented through the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, which brings together sectoral agencies, businesses, civil society and expert communities from all countries.
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