Latest updates, insights, and analysis.
Russia and African countries have both participated in the “Land Degradation to Sustainable Development: Russia-Africa Cooperation” forums in Moscow and Volgograd, with significant implications for Russia’s agricultural sector. We explain how both sides intend to cooperate with UN involvement in dealing with land degradation and restitution issues.
Russia’s Pharmasyntez Group plans to boost the volume and range of its pharmaceutical exports to Africa, the company has stated, saying “Africa is a strategic direction for international development for us. We are expanding exports of our pharmaceutical products and establishing long-term partnerships. We are already supplying products to the African market, building our registration portfolio, and exploring new opportunities for collaboration with public and commercial partners. We see significant potential for further developing Africa’s pharmaceutical market.”
The Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) is to study a free trade agreement between the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Jordan. The EAEU includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. , Jordan has a GDP (PPP) of US$154 billion. We examine the current trade dynamics between Jordan and the EAEU countries.
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin met with Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the President of Namibia during the Russia–Africa Summit. The respective governments emphasized expanding cooperation into mining, agriculture, fisheries, information technology, telecommunications, energy beneficiation, and infrastructure. Both Presidents discussed the establishment of a local fertilizer manufacturing plant in Namibia to lower agricultural costs and boost Namibia’s regional exports. Officials also signed customs cooperation agreements and frameworks. We discuss the complete bilateral trade and investment picture.
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.
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.
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.
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