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.

African Union
Featured 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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DR Congo
Featured 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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Togo Relations
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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CAR Bilateral Relations
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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Eritrea Relations
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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Brazil Exports
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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Japan Bilateral Relations
November 2, 2026

Russia, Japan Bilateral Relations: October 2026 Update

The Russian and Japanese Foreign Ministers have met in the United States at the request of Japan, the second meeting in two months. Coming after Russian President Putin spoke with the Prime Ministers of Finland and Norway last week, there appears to be a new trend of Russia’s neighbours wanting to discuss political issues, suggesting that new regional security protocols are being considered.

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Russia SADC
November 1, 2026

Russia, Southern African Development Community Sign Action Plan On Cooperation: Details & Analysis 

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.

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Africa Summit
October 31, 2026

The 2026 Russia-Africa Summit: Key Discussions, Deals & Agreements

The 2026 Russia-Africa Summit has concluded in Moscow, with 22 African Heads of State and delegations from 48 African countries attending. We outline the key discussions, on-going negotiations and investment plans being made in agriculture, LNG, nuclear power, mining, finance, communications, public health and foreign policy strategy. It is essential reading for anyone involved in Russia and African geopolitical and trade development.

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Sudan Bilateral Relations
October 31, 2026

Russia, Sudan Bilateral Relations: October 2026 Update

Russian President Putin has met with Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council during the 2026 Russia–Africa Summit. Sudan is currently fighting a civil war, and has turned to Russia for military, security and infrastructure development assistance. We discuss the current status of the joint Port Sudan project on the Red Sea, Sudan’s energy sector, and other bilateral developments as Moscow positions itself for further involvement in the Sudanese economy and regional logistics.

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