Russia Welcomes African Leaders at First-Ever Russia-Africa Summit, in Photos
More than 50 African leaders made their way to the Black Sea resort city of Sochi on Oct. 23-24 for the inaugural Russia-Africa summit.
The summit is widely seen as a reflection of Russia's push for economic and military influence in Africa. More than 3,000 delegates from African countries and Russia are at the summit to discuss everything from nuclear energy to natural resources extraction.
Here's a look at some of the highlights:
The summit is widely seen as a reflection of Russia's push for economic and military influence in Africa. More than 3,000 delegates from African countries and Russia are at the summit to discuss everything from nuclear energy to natural resources extraction.
Here's a look at some of the highlights:
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/ae/prilet-prezidenta-togo-fora-essozimna-gnassingbe-v-sochi-dlya-uchastiya-v-sammite-rossiya-afrika.jpg)
Togo President Faure Gnassingbe inspects some bread, Russian-style.
Dmitry Feoktistov / TASS
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/e0/plenarnoe-zasedanie-rossiya-afrika-raskryvaya-potentsial-sotrudnichestva1.jpg)
Can we all take a moment to appreciate these gorgeous outfits?
Gavriil Grigorov / TASS
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/5e/pervyy-den-raboty-sammita-i-ekonomicheskogo-foruma-rossiya-afrika2.jpg)
Nothing much, just an AK display.
Kirill Kukhmar / TASS
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/dc/plenarnoe-zasedanie-rossiya-afrika-raskryvaya-potentsial-sotrudnichestva.jpg)
In a sea of blue and black Russian suits, representatives from Africa brought plenty of bright colors to the summit.
Gavriil Grigorov / TASS
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/ae/beseda-prezidenta-rf-vladimira-putina-s-prezidentom-namibii-khage-geyngobom-v-sochi.jpg)
Namibian President Hage Geingob meets President Vladimir Putin.
Sergei Fadeichev / TASS
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/dd/pervyy-den-raboty-sammita-i-ekonomicheskogo-foruma-rossiya-afrika4.jpg)
Guests were welcomed with Russian cuisine, traditional gingerbread and souvenirs.
Anton Novoderzhkin / TASS
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/6e/pervyy-den-raboty-sammita-i-ekonomicheskogo-foruma-rossiya-afrika.jpg)
This looks like more fun than any conference we've ever attended.
Yegor Aleyev / TASS
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/29/pervyy-den-raboty-sammita-i-ekonomicheskogo-foruma-rossiya-afrika3.jpg)
What's next for Africa-Russia relations?
Kirill Kukhmar / TASS