Intra-BRICS trade is booming, driven by the expanded BRICS+ bloc (now including energy-rich nations like Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia) and a strong push for de-dollarization, boosting local currency settlements and new payment systems like CIPS. Key themes include diversifying supply chains, enhancing South-South cooperation, developing local payment systems (NDB, CIPS), and fostering tech/industrial integration to reduce reliance on Western markets, with total intra-bloc trade already exceeding US$1 trillion and growing significantly. Navigate the BRICS business framework. Find news on economic cooperation, the New Development Bank, and joint investment projects. Essential for businesses leveraging the powerful BRICS economic bloc.
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin held discussions with Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia on the sidelines of the 2026 Russia-Africa Summit. Bilateral trade has doubled in the 8M 2026, implying a total figure for 2026 of about US$1.3 billion for the full year. We examine the reasons for this and provide a full analysis of Russia-Ethiopia bilateral trade and investment.
Russia’s Rosatom and the Ugandan Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development have signed a roadmap for cooperation in nuclear energy. It calls for a dedicated working group to assess Uganda’s national nuclear infrastructure and identifies joint steps to enable discussion of a contract for engineering surveys to select a site for the Nakasongola Nuclear Power Plant. In terms of bilateral trade, 2026 bilateral trade volumes look set to increase by 70% and reach about US$336 million. We discuss the trade and investment dynamics.
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has met with Isaias Afwerki, the President of Eritrea at the Kremlin, on the sidelines of the 2026 Russia–Africa Summit. Russia is poised to make investments in Eritrean ports as Moscow has entered into talks to set up a logistics centre in the country, although it must balance this against its relations with Ethiopia, a full BRICS member, with whom Eritrea is at war. 2025 Russia-Eritrea bilateral trade reached US$13.5 million in 2025, with most of this being Russian exports of grains and fertilizers. We examine the geopolitical and trade development issues.
Russia has signed a Joint Development Action Plan with the Southern African Development Community. The SADC has a collective population of about 406 million, a combined GDP (PPP) of US$2.62 trillion, and a projected combined 2026 GDP growth rate of 3.2%, according to the IMF. Current bilateral trade with these 16 southern African nations is just a collective US$2 billion per annum, however the Action Plan contains development programmes to substantially improve this. We examine the plan and look into the implications. This article is of substantial interest to anyone in the Russia-Southern Africa trade and development sector.
Algeria is Russia’s second largest trade partner in Africa, and a partner state with the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Bilateral trade is up 20% this year with a target to reach US$10 billion by 2030. We examine the bilateral trade and investment development trends.
Subscribe to receive exclusive insights and analysis on BRICS.
Bolivia’s trade with Russia is small, yet has potential. In this article we discuss the trade history, the main products in the bilateral portfolio and examine why the commercial picture remains erratic. However, with Bolivia recently joining Mercosur and becoming a BRICS partner, and Russia identifying Mercosur as a Foreign Trade Policy target, the bilateral trade picture could improve in the neat future.
The Russian Foreign Minister, Prime and Deputy Prime Ministers have all held a series of meetings with senior Iranian officials including the President, and Foreign and Trade Ministers. We examine the security issues, two separate rail connectivity developments, nuclear energy, bilateral trade growth and where Iran is poised to fit into the Eurasian and African trade and supply chains. It is essential reading for anyone involved in Middle Eastern and Central Asian affairs.
Russia-India bilateral trade volumes hit US$38 billion in the first six months of this year and are on track to reach the US$100 billion goal set for 2030, according to Indian Ambassador Vinay Kumar. He was speaking at the Russia-India TIME Business Forum in Kazan on Thursday. These are record amounts in bilateral trade.
Russia’s exports of herring to Egypt have undergone a massive surge, from 100 tonnes in H1 2025 to 5,600 tonnes in H1 2026. The fish is a standard ingredient in many Egyptian dishes such as Renga bel Tahini. The overall African demand for herring is expected to triple by 2030.
Russia’s agricultural exports to South Africa have reached US$53 million in 9M 226, with wheat making up the bulk of the trade, along with instant coffee and millet. Total bilateral trade could exceed US$1 billion for the first time by the end of this year.
Russian exports of fish – especially dried fish – are up 1,400% in 9M 2026, as the snack is used as an accompaniment to drinking beer and is proving popular with Brazilian football supporters watching local and international games in bars. Russian exporters are competing with Norway for this market.
Русский
