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.
Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, has met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abey Ahmed in Addis Ababa to discuss developing bilateral trade and investment. This tripled in 2025 with plenty of interest in their mutual agricultural sectors – fertilizers, grains, and coffee.
The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov has met with Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the African Union chair, in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Russia is pro-African development and wants to see it gain seats on the UN Security Council.
Russia’s wheat exports to Tanzania are up 16% year on year while overall wheat exports to East Africa are up 26% also driven by Kenya and Uganda. Tanzania is a major wheat consumer but needs to import about 90% of its annual requirements.
Tanzanian Airlines have begun a regular Zanzibar-Moscow service designed to promote tourism and trade. The country is renowned for its spectacular beaches, safari’s and wildlife and is another exotic Russian tourism alternative to European destinations.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has announced it is to open four new Embassies in Comoros, Gambia, Liberia and Togo in a mix of what will become tourism, trade and energy related diplomatic moves. Russia is aiming for 100% diplomatic coverage throughout the African continent by next year.
Subscribe to receive exclusive insights and analysis on Africa.
Rosatom have agreed a roadmap with the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board for plans to build a Small Modular Reactor in Rwanda. The country wishes to diversify its energy mix as demand increases.
Russia needs to better secure its arbitration reach by both developing Bilateral Investment Treaties with Global South nations, and / or establishing a BRICS arbitration centre. We can expect a flurry of BIT agreements being signed in the coming months.
Is multiculturalism dead – or just moving away from the West to the Global South? The joint Russia-India film ‘Persimmon of my Love’ has been playing to rave reviews on a national release in Russia, while co-BRICS film productions are also underway between Russia and Brazil, China, Egypt, Iran and Indonesia amongst others.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has met with Malagasy Foreign Minister Alice N’Diaye in Moscow to discuss trade development. We detail the current bilateral relations and plans to increase bilateral trade – currently running at about US$500 million per annum.
The African Union Commissioner, Bankole Adeoye, has been visiting Moscow and holding talks with senior Russian Ministers. We outline the discussions and provide updates on Russian trade and investment in the African continent.
Our deep-dive analysis into the results of SPIEF 2026 – the signed agreements, investment deals, Russian corporate finance, multilateralism and agreed projects, including China, India, ASEAN, Middle East, African and LatAm investment plans.
Русский
