Moscow Summit Unveils Trade System
With today’s technology, it is impossible to block such payments,
Russian President Vladimir Putin told delegates at the third Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow on October 28, 2026.
The summit brought together delegations from 48 African countries, including 22 heads of state or government, to discuss trade, energy, and finance. During the gathering, Russian fintech company A7 presented its new international payment platform designed to settle cross-border invoices using cryptocurrency.
How the A7 Platform Operates
The system lets businesses settle international invoices in USDT, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, while recipients receive ordinary bank transfers without handling digital assets directly. A7 handles payouts in US dollars, euros, Chinese yuan, and UAE dirhams.
Finance Minister Anton Siluanov outlined the financial terms of the service. Payments are fast, with just one click, and the fee is only 0.3%,
he told the summit. A7 reports that USDT payments run on the TRON blockchain, while recipients receive funds via SWIFT with processing times starting from one business day.
Expansion Under Sanctions
A7 opened its first African representative offices in Lagos and Harare in September 2025. The company was founded in 2024 with backing from state-owned PSB Bank and handled more than 10 trillion rubles, equivalent to about $110 billion, in cross-border payments throughout 2025.
The expansion comes despite fresh US sanctions imposed on A7 and its network on October 1, 2026. The US Treasury accused the firm of helping clients evade restrictions and handling transactions tied to Iran. A7 called the measures unlawful and stated it continues to process payments for legitimate consumer goods and commodities.
Russia Increases Trade with Africa Through Grain and Industry
According to Vladimir Putin, trade between Russia and Africa exceeded $27 billion in 2025, marking an increase of about 50% since the previous summit in 2023. Moscow aims to deepen cooperation in agriculture, energy, mining, and infrastructure.
IOL reported that the summit also focused on food security, noting that more than 18 million tonnes of grain were supplied to African countries during the previous year, with an additional 13 million tonnes delivered in the first nine months of 2026. Delegates adopted the Moscow Declaration and the Joint Action Plan of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum for 2027–2029 as a strategic roadmap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns and operates the A7 payment platform?
A7 is a Russian fintech company founded in 2024 with the participation of state-owned PSB Bank. Its supervisory board includes high-ranking Russian officials such as First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev, and Finance Minister Anton Siluanov.
Which African nations are involved in the A7 network?
A7 opened representative offices in Lagos, Nigeria, and Harare, Zimbabwe, in September 2025. Whether the platform can operate fully in those countries remains subject to local regulatory approval.
What currencies and blockchain networks does A7 use?
A7 utilizes the TRON blockchain for USDT stablecoin transactions and routes payouts through SWIFT. The platform supports disbursements in US dollars, euros, Chinese yuan, and UAE dirhams.
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