MOSCOW, October 28. /TASS/. Russia holds a leading position in the global tech race, with rivals needing to play catch-up in a number of areas, President Vladimir Putin said at the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum.
He noted that the era in which the fate of continents was determined by a handful of states is no more. According to Putin, a just world is coming to replace it, one where all voices are heard.
TASS has collected the key statements of the head of state.
Multipolarity
Everyone now sees that a multipolar world is indeed emerging: "We are witnessing that the multipolar world is becoming reality, and this trend is objective and irreversible."
The era in which the fate of continents was determined by a narrow bloc of states is gone away: "A more just world is coming to replace it, in which the voices of all countries participating in international communication must be heard."
Western colonialism
Western countries are trying to bury African countries in debt by lending to them extortionate terms: "There are active attempts by Western states to drive Africans back into debt bondage, to impose on them much-needed financial resources at extortionate terms, which subsequently force them to repeatedly overpay to service and close the debt to the detriment of long-term development plans."
The multipolar world order isn't being met well by countries with a history of colonialism, who "fabulously enriched themselves at the expense of others": "The formation of a multipolar world is, of course, not easy, encountering resistance from countries that are not ready to accept such a reality. Those who still live in the colonial past, fabulously, just fabulously enrich themselves at the expense of others. Any kind of unsightly and cynical means are used, including tariff wars, illegitimate sanctions, economic dictate, blackmail and interference in internal affairs."
Technological sovereignty
Russia has made strides in strengthening its technological sovereignty, including in information technologies: "Russia has long been moving to strengthen its technological sovereignty, this is our strategic choice. And we can say this without any exaggeration, we have achieved results, good and impressive results in some areas."
Russia has been busy making its own AI models: "In particular, we have two large language models of our own."
Russia is a leading tech pioneer, and competitors have to catch up with it in some areas: "Russia is creating world-class solutions in a number of areas. Competitors have to catch up with us in some areas and copy our developments. We are firmly at the forefront of the global race for technological sovereignty."
Cooperation with African countries
Russia is working actively to help African economies and ease the debt burden of the continent: "Russia is known to be actively involved in efforts to improve Africa's financial well-being and ease the debt burden."
Russia has a good system of public administration based on modern technologies and is ready to share its best practices with interested African countries: "Russia has good experience in using information technology in the field of public administration. And we could share our best practices with the interested African countries."
"Russia is open to transfer our modern competencies and high-tech digital know-how to our African friends."
Africa has agricultural potential and is able to provide itself with food: "I think this is one of the most important tasks for the continent."
More than 40 African countries already receive fertilizers and grain from Russia: "I would like to note that Russia is one of the most reliable guarantors of food security on the African continent. More than 40 African countries are already receiving Russian fertilizers and grain."
Russia is "ready to further expand the geography of supplies" of agricultural goods to the African continent.
Exports of Russian agro-industrial products to African countries amounted to 13 million tons in the first nine months of this year: "Shipments in individual countries increased several times. Not as a percentage, but by multiples."
The Russian Federation will continue to help Africa in the field of health protection by localizing the synthesis of effective Russian medicines and vaccines on the continent.
Providing assistance to the business communities of Russia and Africa is a key task for Moscow, as well as the heads and governments of the African continent:
"I would like to emphasize again the priority common task that we face as heads of state and government. I see it in providing the business communities of Russia and Africa with all possible assistance in the successful implementation of joint ideas and initiatives."
Russian companies are not engaged in the "predatory exploitation" of natural resources in Africa, but are increasing the processing of raw materials on site: "Our businesses are not engaged in predatory, neocolonial exploitation of natural and human resources, but are increasing the processing of raw materials on site, creating new jobs and tax revenues at all levels of the African budget system."
Russia appreciates the firm and principled position of African countries in rejecting anti-Russian restrictions put forward by the West: "Trade and economic relations continue to develop steadily. This is not hindered by the unprecedented restrictions imposed on our country, nor by the serious pressure exerted by the West on our partners on the continent. And we appreciate this firm and principled position taken by our African friends."
"It's imperative to continue working on building stable channels of mutual settlements in national currencies," protected from interference by unfriendly countries.
Africa supplied $4 billion worth of agricultural products to Russia in 2026 and this figure "certainly should and will continue to grow."
Russia offers its African partners "comprehensive solutions in building reliable logistics routes that will have a direct impact on the growth of trade and investment: I mean the design, construction and modernization of railways and highways, sea routes, transport hubs, their equipment with digital management systems, tracking, customs declaration. Naturally, we invite African airlines to start flights to the Russian Federation."
The number of African students enrolled in Russia has increased 50% since 2020, and the number of Russian scholarships for Africa has almost tripled: "A record number of African citizens are enrolled at Russian universities: about 40,000. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the scholarship quota has been increased to 5,500 spots."
Russia promotes the opening of branches of its universities in Africa, where students can study Russian and basic subjects: "We promote the opening of branches of Russian universities with the study of the Russian language for high-quality preparation of students to study in our country. 58 Russian open education centers are already operating in 29 African countries, where Russian language and basic subjects are taught."
BRICS
Over the past five years, the BRICS countries produced more than 40% of global GDP, while the G7 contributed less than 30%: "Over the past five years, more than 40% of global GDP has been produced by the BRICS countries. While the contribution of the ‘Group of Seven’ stood at less than 30%. And, undoubtedly, this proportion will only increase, and it will increase, of course, in favor of developing countries."
The BRICS countries, despite their different development models, advocate equality and respect, and act in solidarity in the search for answers to acute challenges and threats: "Different models of religious, civilizational, and cultural development harmoniously coexist in BRICS. At the same time, all its participants advocate equality and respect, friendship, harmony, and act in solidarity in finding answers to the acute challenges and threats in ensuring global stability and security, universal prosperity and well-being."
International institutions
Russia advocates strengthening Africa's role in managing the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and considers it necessary to reform these organizations to meet the needs of developing economies: "Our country also consistently advocates strengthening Africa's role in managing and making key decisions within the framework of multilateral development institutions, primarily the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. the bank. And in general, the issue of reforming these organizations, their reorientation to the needs and requirements of developing economies is overdue.".