Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned African countries against falling into what he described as a debt abyss.

Putin accused some foreign powers of using economic pressure and unfavourable lending terms to undermine the continent's sovereignty and development.

Addressing the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in Moscow, Putin argued that mounting debt obligations risk forcing African governments to divert resources away from development priorities.

This he said has left countries struggling to finance infrastructure, industry and essential services.

Putin said some countries were resorting to sanctions, tariff wars, economic pressure and interference in domestic affairs, while imposing resource agreements on African nations under terms he characterised as exploitative.

These debts he said, ultimately limits governments' ability to invest in their own economies and determine their development paths.

"The Africans are firm in defending their interests. They want to determine their future and their developmental path. And yet it takes pains to build the multipolar world because it runs into the opposition of the countries that do not want to accept this new paradigm. They are still clinging to the colonial paradigm."

The Russian leader linked the debt burden to Africa's continued dependence on exporting raw materials, pointing to the continent's limited manufacturing capacity.

Putin said manufacturing value added in Africa accounts for less than 2%, while the continent's overall trade stands at approximately US$1.5 trillion.

Only 15% of that trade takes place between African countries, pointing out the challenges facing intra-African commerce and regional industrialisation.

Putin noted that strengthening production, processing and industrial cooperation would help African countries retain more value from their resources instead of exporting raw materials for processing elsewhere.

A call, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah continues advocate for.

"They are trying to impose on them resources, but on terrible terms which are tantamount to robbery. And they have the African countries have to repay these debts to the detriment of developmental plans. I would like to remember the first president of Burkina Faso, Thomas Sankara. He used to say debt is basically neo-colonialism. When the colonizers have turned themselves into technical assistants, this is very clever rules in order to reconquer Africa and to subject Africa's development and growth to somebody else's rules."

He also called for reforms to international financial institutions, particularly the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

The Russian leader said African countries should have a greater role in decisions affecting global economic governance.