Putin Promises Free Grain For Six African Countries In Coming Months

"In the coming months we will be able to ensure free supplies of 25,000 to 50,000 tonnes of grain to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Central African Republic and Eritrea," he said in a speech.

By Donatus Anichukwueze

Updated July 27, 2023

A worker carries a bag of flour at a grain market in Libya’s capital Tripoli on July 22, 2023. – Russia issued a veiled warning over the future of grain exports via the Black Sea after refusing to extend a key agreement allowing safe passage for cargo ships from Ukrainian ports. (Photo by Mahmud Turkia / AFP)

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday promised to send up to 50,000 tonnes of free grain supplies to six African countries as he opened a Russia-Africa summit in his native Saint Petersburg.

“In the coming months we will be able to ensure free supplies of 25,000 to 50,000 tonnes of grain to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Central African Republic and Eritrea,” he said in a speech.