Russia-Africa Summit Opens Amid $27B Trade Gap
Moscow hosts leaders from 54 nations as trade data reveals a narrow economic base compared to Western and Asian partners.
By Tomas Rahman ·
The third Russia-Africa summit opened in Moscow on October 28, 2026. The two-day event runs through October 29 and focuses primarily on economic cooperation. Other agenda items include security, science, and culture. Russian officials frame the gathering as a continuation of ties that began in the 20th century. Foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called the relationship a "historic return." She stated that no other entity could be compared to Russia's contributions to the continent during that era.
Trade figures indicate a narrow base for this economic relationship. According to Russia's Federal Customs Service, total sales between Russia and all 54 African countries reached approximately 27 billion US dollars in 2025. This amount represents only 3.9 percent of Russia's total foreign trade. Egypt accounts for roughly 39 percent of that entire figure. Bilateral trade between Moscow and Cairo more than doubled since 2021, reaching 10.5 billion US dollars in 2025. Russian grain and metal products drive these exports, while Egypt sends fruit and vegetables to Russia.
Algeria serves as another key partner. Ivan Klyszcz of the International Centre for Defence and Security in Tallinn, Estonia, noted that South Africa remains the continent's largest economy. However, its trade volume with Russia is far smaller than that of Egypt and Algeria. He added that Russian diplomats are trying to extend relationships with Tanzania and Ethiopia. So far, he said, there has been no appreciable success in those specific markets.
Large infrastructure projects underscore the investment component of these ties. Russia is building a nuclear power plant in the El-Dabaa region of Egypt's Mediterranean coast. A Russian loan of 25 billion US dollars finances the construction. This loan covers approximately 85 percent of the total costs. Nikita Smagin, an expert on Russian policy in the Middle East, suggested that Egypt could become Moscow's gateway to other markets. He cautioned, however, that Cairo pursues its own interests rather than offering political solidarity.
The economic footprint of Russia in Africa remains small when compared to other global powers. In 2025, the European Union traded approximately 385 billion US dollars with Africa. China's trade volume with the continent exceeded 348 billion US dollars. The United States recorded nearly 105 billion US dollars in trade, and India recorded 103 billion. Fidel Owusu, a Ghanaian expert with Geopolitical Intelligence Services in Liechtenstein, observed that middle powers like Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are currently outperforming Russia in trade volume and investment types.
Military presence offers a different picture of Russian influence. Russian mercenaries, initially part of the Wagner Group, have supported regimes in the Sahel region. Following the death of Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Africa Corps took over most operations. This paramilitary group is controlled by Russia's defense ministry. The Congressional Research Service reports that the largest Russian military contingents, numbering several thousand men each, are stationed in the Central African Republic, Mali, and Libya. The Africa Corps is also seeking to extend its presence in Burkina Faso and Niger.
Irina Filatova of the University of Cape Town explained the strategic logic behind these deployments. She noted that these countries hold large deposits of minerals such as gold and uranium. These resources allow Russia to exert influence over Europe's southern borders, including migration and regional security issues. Libya acts as a logistical hub for the Sahel and central Africa, enabling goods to be supplied to landlocked nations.
Russia remains a major arms supplier to the continent. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimates Moscow's share of the African arms market for 2021 to 2025 at 15 percent. This places Russia in third position behind the United States at 19 percent and China at 17 percent. In the period from 2020 to 2024, Russia held the top position with a 21 percent share. President Vladimir Putin recently addressed the Valdai Discussion Club in Moscow. He stated that Russia aims to develop together with Africa, contrasting this goal with the monetary focus of former colonial powers.
The summit program includes discussions on politics and security alongside economic topics. Russian officials seek diplomatic support from the continent's large number of countries in the United Nations General Assembly. Fidel Owusu noted that Russia wants this numerical support whenever votes are cast. He observed that Moscow has performed better in recent votes compared to earlier years. The perception of Russia varies across the continent, with some political elites viewing the anti-colonial narrative positively while others maintain different perspectives.
