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.
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has met with William Samoei Ruto, the President of Kenya during the 2026 Russia-Africa Summit. The two sides signed five new bilateral accords, focusing on expanding agricultural exports, tourism, direct business partnerships, joint investment and transport, most notably the issue of direct flights. Bilateral trade has doubled in 8M 2026.
Russia’s President Putin has met with the Seychellois Foreign Minister, Barry Faure, at the 2026 Russia-Africa summit. There have been some significant developments in the bilateral tourism, food security and blue water sectors, including a current visit by a Russian Navy Frigate. Aeroflot is to increase direct flights to three times weekly, while the Seychelles has also secured duty-free exports of fresh tuna to Russia. We provide a detailed examination of the bilateral trade and investment dynamics.
The Russian Foreign Minister and delegation have attended the G20 Foreign Ministers meetings in Atlanta, Georgia, hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. We discuss Russia’s stated opinion on global economic affairs, and what occurred in attempts to generate a unified G20 statement. We compare this situation with Russia’s participation in other recent diplomatic events, including the BRICS, this weeks Russia-Africa Summit and the EAEU-SCO annual meetings.
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin has met with Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the President of Equatorial Guinea in Moscow. The two countries are rapidly developing trade and investment ties, with both signing a nuclear power cooperation agreement earlier in the year. Russia is also interested in the country’s LNG sector and port development. While bilateral trade is relatively small, the bilateral relationship is warm and developing.
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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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