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.
The seizing by French and British military personal of a ‘Russian’ tanker in the North Atlantic raises important questions of international maritime law, the imposition of sanctions, diplomatic protocols and the overall intent. We look into this strange event that involves not just France and Russia, but also impacts European relations with Madagascar and Cameroon.
Russian exports of wheat to Kenya have grown 10% in the first five months of the year, with volumes to Egypt, Sudan and Cameroon also all showing strong increases.
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.
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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.
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.
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