MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin courted dozens of African leaders at a Russia-Africa summit that wraps up Thursday as he seeks to bolster Moscow's clout across the continent.
Speaking during a meeting in the Kremlin on the second day of the summit, Putin said that “Russia and Africa are united by truly strong bonds of friendship and close partnership.”
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Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, greets Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye and his wife Angeline at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed enter a hall for their meeting on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (Igor Ivanko/Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, arrives for the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026. (Anastasia Barashkova//Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, centre, speaks with Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi while posing for a family photo at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026. (Anastasia Barashkova/Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, foreground left, and other leaders pose for a family photo during the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026. (Anastasia Barashkova/Pool Photo via AP)
“We are natural allies in building a multipolar, genuinely democratic world order, free from diktat and double standards and based on respect for the norms of international law and the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter,” Putin said.
He mentioned Moscow's support for the African nations' anti-colonial fight during Soviet times.
“Russia has always been and remains committed to seeing African nations defend their sovereignty, achieve steady growth, and strengthen their economies and social sectors,” the Russian leader said. “We stand ready to continue working together with you across all these areas to achieve these goals."
The summit is part of the Kremlin's push to deepen ties with Africa, home to nearly 1.6 billion people and increasingly influential on the global stage. Its 54 nations make up the largest voting bloc at the United Nations.
Moscow first hosted the Russia-Africa summit in 2019, and then again in 2023. This week’s summit drew nearly 50 African nations, about 20 of which were represented by their leaders.
Speaking during Thursday's meeting, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi noted that “Africa’s security and stability remain an essential condition for achieving the aspirations of its peoples.”
Kenyan President William Ruto argued that “the international order must reflect the world as it is today, not the world as it was in 1945,” adding that Africa “can't continue without permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council.”
Putin quickly backed his statement, saying that “the absence of African representatives at the U.N. Security Council is unfair.”
The Russian president noted that Russia's trade with African countries topped $27 billion last year and vowed to expand it. He noted that Russian companies have pursued major investment projects in Africa in such spheres as energy, mining, industrial cooperation and logistics.
“Our business community approaches cooperation with African partners with honesty, respect, and integrity, conducting business on an equal footing,” Putin said.
“Rather than siphoning off profits in the manner of the colonial practices by former imperial powers, they reinvest their earnings into the development of your national economies, they readily share advanced technologies and expertise, broadly engage local subcontractors, and help create new production facilities and jobs," he said.
He said that Russia delivered over 18 million metric tons of grain to Africa last year, and another 13 million metric tons in the first nine months of this year, casting the supplies as a “concrete and tangible contribution to ensuring food security across the entire African continent.”
Russian exports of mineral fertilizers reached approximately 1.5 million metric tons last year, and have already exceeded 2.2 million metric tons so far this year.
Putin also mentioned Russia's assistance in the spheres of healthcare and education, noting that nearly 40,000 students from African nations are currently studying at Russian universities.
He specifically underlined Moscow's efforts to help African states in “maintaining internal stability and security, and in strengthening their defense and law enforcement capabilities,” adding that Russia has intergovernmental agreements on military and military-technical cooperation with 45 African countries.
As Russia competes with the United States, Europe and China for greater influence across Africa, it also has relied on its military contractors to strengthen its sway on many fronts, from the economy to security and politics.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, greets Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye and his wife Angeline at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed enter a hall for their meeting on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (Igor Ivanko/Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, arrives for the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026. (Anastasia Barashkova//Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, centre, speaks with Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi while posing for a family photo at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026. (Anastasia Barashkova/Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, foreground left, and other leaders pose for a family photo during the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026. (Anastasia Barashkova/Pool Photo via AP)
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 29, 2026--
Howard University and the development team of Lowe, Affinius Capital, FLGA and Davenport Group are proud to announce the groundbreaking of The Hazel, a 525,000-square-foot, 11-story multi-family building that will include 504 residential units (including 40 affordable units), approximately 15,000 square feet of retail space, and 246 below-grade parking spaces.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261029448914/en/
The Hazel, which was originally announced in 2022, is a major development for Howard University and a transformative project for the Duke District, a planned redevelopment of multiple Howard-owned parcels at the north end of Shaw, adjacent to Howard University’s main campus. The project is being developed on the former East Towers parking lot, located at the intersection of 8 th, 9 th, and W Streets NW. In recent years, Howard University has advanced several Duke District transactions to bring new housing along with a mix of retail, office, hotel and entertainment options to the upper Shaw neighborhood.
“With The Hazel, we are furthering our investment in the neighborhood we have long called home,” said Anthony Freeman, Vice President and Chief Real Estate Officer at Howard University. “This project will bring homes, neighborhood retail and public gathering space, while its internship program gives our students hands-on experience in real estate and development. We're excited for The Hazel to support the University’s long-term mission and build on the history and cultural life of the surrounding community.”
The development team has executed a long-term ground lease with Howard University for the 1.85-acre property. The Hazel is the centerpiece of the evolving Duke District, building on the neighborhood’s longstanding cultural and community life and its role as an economic, social and institutional center.
“The Hazel is a catalytic development that we believe will propel additional positive growth and change in this historic area. It provides a scale and connectivity in the Shaw neighborhood that will enhance the area’s function and appeal for the community, businesses, and Howard University,” said Lowe Executive Vice President Mark Rivers.
The Hazel will feature top of market finishes and amenities, with units ranging from studios to larger two-bedrooms with den floor plans. Among the community’s planned amenities is a club room, fitness center and rooftop patio, which will feature a partial glass-bottomed pool suspended at the 11 th floor between the east and west wings of the building over W Street.
“Howard University is one of the world's most important and best-in-class institutions of higher education. From the outset, this team has held that the built environment surrounding it should meet the same standard. We designed the building around the principle of gathering, and we believe it will be the true epicenter of the Duke District — something both Howard University and the Shaw community can be proud of for generations to come," said Fred Greene III, Managing Principal of FLGA.
A key project component is the creation of a 25-foot-wide public plaza spanning the full block of W Street from 8 th to 9 th Street, which will provide an activated gathering space, ample protected outdoor dining areas for the project’s retailers, and a connection between Howard University and the burgeoning north Shaw neighborhood. The project will also benefit from easy access to public transit with Metrorail and bus stops close to the property.
The building will be named The Hazel, in honor of Hazel Scott, the internationally acclaimed pianist, entertainer, and civil rights trailblazer whose legacy helped shape an important chapter in Washington’s cultural history. After Scott was barred from performing at Constitution Hall, local entrepreneur David Rosenberg developed an integrated Music Hall at Ninth and V Streets, which opened in 1947. The building is now home to the 9:30 Club, which moved there in 1996. Naming the building The Hazel honors Scott’s talent and courage and connects the project to the rich cultural history of the Shaw and U Street communities.
"My mother believed that talent should be recognized without barriers and that the arts have the power to bring people together across every line that divides us. It is deeply meaningful to see her legacy honored in the Shaw community, where her story helped inspire progress toward greater inclusion and opportunity,” said Adam Powell III, Hazel’s son. “The Hazel serves not only as a tribute to her accomplishments, but also as a reminder that courage and perseverance can help create lasting change for future generations.”
The development team is working with Howard University on several mission-oriented objectives related to the project. 30% of the project budget will be awarded to Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) firms. Additionally, the development team created CRE Access in 2022, an internship program that matches Howard University students with valuable internship opportunities across commercial real estate fields, including architecture, engineering, construction, finance, marketing, and property management. CRE Access has provided 46 internships since its inception.
Construction financing of $214.1 million was secured through a hybrid facility arranged by Barings and its affiliated C-PACE provider, CounterpointeSRE, which worked with the DC Green Bank to provide $90 million of C-PACE financing. The construction loan package was arranged by JLL. The project architect is HKS and the general contractor is Whiting-Turner.
“We are pleased to provide a tailored solution that brings together construction financing and C-PACE capital to support Howard University, The Hazel, and its experienced development team,” said Justin Preftakes, Head of Construction Lending at Barings, and Eric Alini, Chief Executive Officer of CounterpointeSRE, in a joint statement. “The project will create new housing and retail space while advancing energy efficiency and the continued growth of the Shaw community.”
“The Hazel is both honoring DC’s history and building for its future by investing in resilience and energy efficiency,” said Brandi Colander, CEO of DC Green Bank. “This building is another example of how C-PACE financing is adding homes, building future-ready infrastructure, and making dreams come true across the District, and DC Green Bank is proud to support this work.”
Construction of The Hazel is anticipated to be completed in the 4 th quarter of 2028.
About Lowe
Los Angeles-based Lowe, formerly known as Lowe Enterprises, is a leading national real estate investment, development and management firm. Over the past 54 years, it has developed, acquired or managed more than $38 billion of real estate assets nationwide as it pursued its mission to build value in real estate by creating innovative, lasting environments and meaningful experiences that connect people and place. Lowe currently has more than $2.6 billion in commercial real estate projects in the pipeline or under development. In addition to its Los Angeles headquarters, Lowe maintains regional offices in Southern California, Northern California, Charleston, Denver, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. Lowe’s hospitality subsidiary, CoralTree Hospitality, operates numerous hotel and resort properties across the US. Lowe’s commercial property operations subsidiary, Hospitality at Work®, brings hospitality inspired-property management service to office buildings nationwide. Lowe’s affordable housing subsidiary, Concord Communities, is actively developing and redeveloping quality affordable communities in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. For more information visit www.Lowe-RE.com.
About Affinius
Affinius Capital® is an integrated institutional real estate investment firm focused on value creation and income generation, with $64 billion in assets under management. Over its 40-year history, the firm's diversified portfolio of equity and credit investments across North America and Europe has included more than $12 billion in U.S. multifamily acquisitions and developments representing approximately 33,000 units. For more information, visit www.affiniuscapital.com.
About FLGA
FLGA is a Washington, D.C.-based real estate development and advisory firm specializing in partnerships with education, religious, municipal and non-profit institutions to advance their business plan goals through the built environment.
Founded in 1995 by Fred Greene, a former Director of Planning for the District of Columbia, FLGA's professionals have developed or advised on approximately 5 million square feet of mixed-use space. The firm's active development portfolio includes more than 1.5 million square feet in the pipeline or under development.
The firm brings specialized capabilities across real estate strategy, planning, development management, acquisitions, entitlement, project design management and construction management.
For more information, visit www.flgallc.com.
About Davenport Group
Formed in 2020, Davenport is a boutique real estate and investment advisory firm focused on acquiring value-add and opportunistic real estate in and around the DC Metro area without limitation in multi-family, retail, office and industrial asset classes.
For more information, visit davenportdc.com.
About Howard University
Founded in 1867 in Washington, D.C., Howard University is a private, historically Black institution with an R1 research designation. Across 14 schools and colleges, Howard offers 140 degree programs spanning undergraduate education, graduate study and professional preparation. Its community advances scholarship, leadership and service, and its graduates have shaped government, science, business, the arts and other fields. For more information, visit howard.edu.
Howard University and the development team of Lowe, Affinius Capital, FLGA and Davenport Group announce the groundbreaking of The Hazel, a 525,000-square-foot, 11-story multi-family building that will include 504 residential units (including 40 affordable units), approximately 15,000 square feet of retail space, and 246 below-grade parking spaces. Photo: Lowe
