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 Russian and Seychelles Presidents have been holding discussions in the Kremlin with both sides looking to enhance diplomatic and trade ties. Russia is an important source tourism market for the Seychelles, with Russian tourists making up about 15% of all arrivals, worth an estimated US$180 million to the local economy.
Russia’s Rosatom is discussing with the Republic of Congo to build two small hydroelectric power plants in the country. The project will serve as the basis for developing Congo’s energy system and for expanding the practical experience of bilateral cooperation.
The Russian and Algerian Foreign Ministers have met in Turkiye as both attended the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Bilateral trade is currently running at about US$3 billion per annum, with targets made to reach US$10 billion by 2030.
The Russian and Rwandan Foreign Ministers have met in Turkiye to better understand how to improve bilateral trade and investment. Rwanda is interested in nuclear power technology, while bilateral trade, while small, has been rapidly growing.
The Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Alexander Novak is visiting the Republic of the Congo, which is among the top ten in African oil reserves. We discuss bilateral trade and Russian investment into this key West African nation, which can also help power the Sahel region.
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Russia-Egypt bilateral agricultural trade increased 7% in Q1 2026, with Russian exports rising 5%, according to the Russian Agriculture Ministry. Russian supplies traditionally consists of grains and oil and fat products, while imports from Egypt are mainly fruit, vegetables and berries. Trade in mineral fertilizers also grew by 68% last year.
Russia has more than doubled its wheat exports to Sudan, while the country endures a civil war now extending into its fourth year.
Western media has missed an important legal and precedence issue concerning the Strait of Hormuz, which is seeing international maritime law being replaced with force. The implications of this break down could affect all global shipping, including around the Horn of Africa, Red Sea, Baltic Sea and English Channel. We look at the extremely serious implications of what is happening, including maritime legal expertise.
Russia is poised to have diplomatic representation in 49 of the African continents 54 countries, with another four Embassies to open this year. Russia-Africa relations are growing rapidly with Russia now trading more with Africa than the European Union.
Russia’s Wildberries has just begun promoting Ethiopian products for sale on its Russian market platforms. Products such as coffee, tea and flowers are beginning to become popular with Russian consumers. Russian products will be available on Ethiopian online markets later in the year.
Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, has met with the Ambassadors of all the 57 Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) members, stressing the need for further cooperation and trade development. The OIC has a combined population of about 25% of the entire world’s people.
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