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 Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, has met with Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Édouard Bizimana. Discussions focused on nuclear energy projects, as well as education and trade development. Burundi is also currently the Chair of the African Union.
Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, has met with Abdoulaye Diop, the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Mali, to discuss bilateral trade and investment. The two sides are actively engaged in nuclear and solar power projects, mining, and the agricultural sectors.
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has met with Abdourahamane Tchiani, the President of the Niger, and Foreign Minister Bakary Samgare. The two sides discussed trade and investment cooperation in nuclear energy, mining, infrastructure and agriculture in addition to security matters.
The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, has met with Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo and Foreign Minister Maria Lucas in Maputo. Bilateral trade is small but both sides are looking to increase this via fertiilizers and tea exports.
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.
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The Uzbeki Deputy Prime Minster has been discussing investment opportunities for Russia’s largest dairy producer in Uzbekistan. The country is a high dairy per capita consumer but still needs to import milk.
The BRICS countries are continuing their plans to establish a grain exchange, to divert agricultural trade away from Western platforms. The BRICS both produce and consume about 44% of the world’s total markets for corn, wheat and rice, with members Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and Russia amongst the world’s largest producers and consumers.
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.
Russia’s agricultural exports to ASEAN are up 5% in the first five months of 2026, with Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia showing the largest increases.
The Russia-Laos Intergovernmental Commission has been meeting in Moscow, with important agreements on expanding trade, and nuclear power deals being signed. Bilateral trade, while small, nearly doubled last year.
Russia’s EkoNiva Group have been approved to export cheese products to China, and are investing heavily in expanding their production to Asian markets.
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