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 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.
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.
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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.
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.
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