Moscow – President Vladimir Putin has urged leaders of African countries to consider using Russian high-tech international payment networks.
During a recent tour of an exhibition of advanced Russian international payment solutions, visiting African leaders were introduced to A7, a cross-border payment system.
The Russian company’s capabilities were demonstrated to the visitors.
Speaking at the third edition of the Russia–Africa Summit, President Putin explained that cutting-edge payment technologies enable online transactions using conventional and digital currencies, ensuring convenience and transparency.
He said that such transactions were carried out in accordance with international law.
“Digital currencies are being developed in the United States, and they are being developed here as well. So why can’t the African continent connect to this high-tech network?” President Putin asked.
He also emphasised the “sovereign nature” of the payment network and its independence from external restrictions.
“No one will block anything for you. From the point of view of modern technologies, it is impossible to block such payments. Simply impossible,” President Putin said.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Anton Siluanov spoke about A7’s entry into the African international payments market, highlighting its speed and low cost.
“Payments are fast, in one click, and the cost is only 0.3% — that is extremely low for transactions,” said Siluanov, who is also Russia’s Minister of Finance.
Deputy Head of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation Maxim Oreshkin said Russian banks teamed up with foreign partners and non-credit financial organisations to conduct payments worldwide without using the Western financial system.
He emphasised Russia’s readiness to share these technologies with other states.
A7 is a Russian international payments company, created in 2024 with the participation of PSB.
A7 is developing international payment infrastructure, including in Africa.
In 2025, the company opened representative offices in Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
Its payment infrastructure covers more than 100 countries, and its services are used by over 15 000 participants in foreign economic activity.
Last year, 2025, the volume of payments made through A7 exceeded RUB 10 trillion.
