Russia-Africa trade reached US$35 billion in 2025 with Russian exports including grain, dairy, and poultry exports, while African agricultural imports (coffee, fruit) to Russia also surged. Key areas include agricultural goods, military contracts, and nuclear energy, with Russia actively reducing trade barriers and diversifying into the processed foods and high-tech sectors. We cover Russia-Africa trade, investment, and market entry opportunities and provide your guide to navigating the commercial landscape and forging strategic partnerships for growth in Africa’s emerging markets.
Russia is sending Ebola-virus testing kits and specialist training to medical facilities in the Republic of Congo to help battle the spread of the local outbreaks of this deadly disease.
The Eurasian Economic Union, which includes Russia, is set to hold discussions with Tunisia over signing a negotiated Free Trade Agreement. This can be expected to replace certain Tunisia-EU trade flows as Eurasian-North African dynamics begin to align.
Russia’s grain exports to Egypt have increased by 15% this year to date, while the two countries are also discussing the creation of a grain exchange and developing a food security export hub for countries in Africa and the Middle East.
Russia’s Rosatom has signed a nuclear energy development agreement with Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Energy in Moscow, the latest in numerous nuclear deals Russia has been making throughout the African continent.
Russian turkey exports to Africa have nearly tripled, with these products supplied to four main consumer markets – Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon and Guinea. Meat consumption in sub-Saharan Africa is three times lower than the global average but improving economic conditions are seeing its dietary use increase.
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Russia and Tanzania are negotiating a bilateral investment treaty to help underpin their mutual trade, which grew by 20% in 2025.
A specialist Russian company, the world’s largest Titanium producer, is to supply titanium pipes for Egypt’s El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, which is currently being built by Rosatom. The plant will be cooled using seawater – Titanium is non-corrosive under such conditions.
Russian and South Sudanese energy officials and investors have met to discuss requirements and opportunities in South Sudan, whose economy is mainly energy based across multiple sectors. The country has the potential to become a Central African energy hub.
The President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, has arrived in Russia on a state visit, his first overseas trip since winning the national elections last month. He met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials to discuss various investment projects including a massive oil pipeline and trade.
Russia’s Africa Corps have thwarted attempts by European and Ukrainian militia and mercenaries to instigate a coup d’etat in Mali, after Western backed forces attacked the capital, Bamako, as well as the cities of Kati, Gao, Kidal, and Sevare. An estimated 1,000 militia were killed and over 100 military vehicles destroyed by the Russian military in the fighting. The Malian Defense Minister was killed, and the situation remains tense.
Russia’s VTB bank is rolling out a QR code payment system throughout Egypt to allow the bank’s clients to access up to US$4,600 per day in direct transactions from their Russian bank accounts while in the country. The QR code system is supported by national satellite telecommunications networks and is Western financial sanctions proof.
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