Trade News & Analysis

Trade

Russia’s total trade reached about US$745 billion during 2025, also showcasing a significant, albeit shifting, trade surplus of about US$120 billion. In this section we cover all news concerning Russian trade developments, with Russian exporters increasingly reaching out into new markets on a global basis as it pivots away from the West. This is the definitive source on Russian trade. Get the latest data, analysis, and news on Russia’s import/export activities, trade agreements, and increasing commercial partnerships with the Global South.

Featured November 4, 2026

Russia, South Sudan Bilateral Trade & Relations: October 2026 Update

Russian President Putin has met with Salva Kiir, the President of South Sudan during the 2026 Russia–Africa Summit. South Sudan is still recovering from a damaging civil war, however possesses significant mineral reserves. The two sides signed a Joint Intergovernmental Commission designed to boost trade and investment ties, with Russia interested in South Sudan’s energy and minerals sectors. The next development stage will be Russian economic evaluation of South Sudanese mineral assets.

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Featured November 4, 2026

Russia, Burundi Bilateral Trade & Relations: October 2026 Update

The Russian President, Vladimir Putin has met with the President of Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimiye. The two sides are exploring cooperation in nuclear energy, hydropower, food security, education and looking at ways to develop bilateral trade. Burundi is relatively poor but does possess significant reserves of uranium and nickel. Bilateral trade is small – but increasing.

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November 3, 2026

Russia Vetoes United Nations Referendum On Western Sahara

Russia has vetoed a US-led resolution affecting Western Sahara, at the United Nations Security Council on the grounds that it did not support the self-determination ambitions of the regional Sahrawi people. The Western Sahara is classified as a ‘non-self-governing territory’ and is the last major unresolved colonial/territorial disputes in Africa. Morocco claims it as part of its territory, while Algeria and the local population prefer it becomes independent. We discuss the geopolitical position, why Russia voted as it did and the extent of Russia-Western Sahara trade and investment interest.

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November 3, 2026

Rosatom, Ugandan Energy Ministry Sign Nuclear Energy Development Roadmap, 2026 Bilateral Trade Analysis

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.

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November 3, 2026

Russia, Mozambique Bilateral Relations: October 2026 Update

Russia and Mozambique signed a memorandum on road construction, maintenance, and toll-road management during the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow. According to Russia’s Transport Ministry, the two countries also discussed establishing a direct shipping route and involving Russian companies in railway projects. Mozambique’s trade with Russia is about US$160 million and according to President Putin, has doubled during 8M 2016. We examine the bilateral dynamics.

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November 2, 2026

Putin, African Union Chairman Summarize The 2026 Russia-Africa Summit: Results, The Russia-Africa Declaration To 2029 & Full Analysis

The 2026 Russia-Africa Summit has concluded with both President Putin and the Africa Union Chairman, Evariste Ndayishimiye giving a joint press conference to discuss what occurred. This included a significant Joint Declaration and an Joint Russia-Africa Development Action Plan to 2029. We deep dive the contents, including what it means for opportunities and investment in the African agricultural, energy, minerals, port development, fisheries and tourism sectors. This article is of particular interest to anyone involved in the Russian and African markets.

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November 2, 2026

Russia, Democratic Republic Of The Congo Bilateral Relations: October 2026 Update

The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has met with Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The DRC is the second-largest country in Africa and possesses significant mineral resources. However, its economic development is hindered by a war to the eastern part of the country. Democratic Republic of Congo – Russia bilateral trade reached US$13.5 million in 2025, with most of this being Russian exports of grain. However, a major development at the 2026 Russia-Africa summit was the establishment of a permanent intergovernmental commission to structure economic, commercial, technological and technical cooperation between the two countries. We examine the geopolitical and trade dynamics.

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November 2, 2026

Russia, Togo Bilateral Relations & Trade Development: October 2026 Update

The Russian President, Vladimir Putin met with Faure Gnassingbé, the First President and Prime Minister of Togo on the sidelines of the 2026 Russia–Africa Summit. Seven new bilateral agreements were signed, while trade has increased to US$852 million, with Russia exporting fertilizers and Togo exporting agricultural produce. Russia is also interested in investing in Togo’s Lome Port. We examine the bilateral and regional trade dynamics.

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November 2, 2026

Russia, Central African Republic Bilateral Relations: October 2026 Update

The Russian President, Vladimir Putin has met with Faustin-Archange Touadéra, the President of the Central African Republic on the sidelines of the 2026 Russia–Africa Summit. Bilateral trade between Russia and the Central African Republic (CAR) focus heavily on security cooperation, natural resource extraction, and barter arrangements rather than traditional, large-scale commercial trade, although this is now being placed on an improved, institutionalised footing. Russia-Central African Republic bilateral trade officially reached about US$30 million in 2025, with the bulk of this being Russian wheat exports. Given the barter trade, the actual values could be much higher. We examine the bilateral dynamics.

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November 2, 2026

Russia, Eritrea Bilateral Relations & Trade Development: October 2026 Update

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.

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November 2, 2026

Brazil To Increase Exports To Russia After Lula’s Presidential Win: Brazilian Export Potential Analysis 

The Brazilian Ambassador to Russia, Sergio Rodrigues dos Santos, has said that Brazil is looking to deepen its cooperation with Russia during the fourth presidential term of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was re-elected to the post last week. Bilateral trade reached nearly US$9 billion in 9M 2026, with Brazil wanting to export more produce to Russia.

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