Russia-Africa Trade Exceeds $27 Billion as Moscow Hosts Summit

By Al Mayadeen English

27 Oct 2026 20:57

Russia-Africa trade exceeded $27 billion in 2025 as Moscow prepares to host 48 African countries for a summit on trade, investment, agriculture, and energy.

Trade between Russia and African countries exceeded $27 billion in 2025, with Russian exports of grain and fertilizers to the continent continuing to rise, as Moscow prepares to host the third Russia-Africa Summit with representatives from 48 African countries.

Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said on Monday that economic cooperation between Russia and Africa was steadily expanding, highlighting agriculture and food security as key areas of partnership.

According to Russia's TASS news agency, Ushakov said Russian exports of mineral fertilizers to African countries reached 1.5 million tons in 2025 and exceeded 2.2 million tons in 2026 so far.

Russia also exported more than 18 million tons of grain to Africa last year, followed by an additional 13 million tons during the first nine months of 2026, Ushakov added.

Moscow to host third Russia-Africa Summit

Moscow is set to host the third Russia-Africa Summit on Wednesday and Thursday, with representatives from 48 African countries expected to attend, including 22 represented by their heads of state, according to Ushakov.

Putin is scheduled to participate in the summit, which will address ways to expand economic, trade, and investment cooperation, alongside discussions on energy, agriculture, security, and technology.

The meetings are also expected to produce a series of bilateral agreements and include talks between Putin and several African leaders on strengthening relations and expanding cooperation across various sectors.

The upcoming summit follows previous Russia-Africa gatherings in Sochi in 2019 and St. Petersburg in 2023, as Moscow seeks to deepen its political and economic ties with countries across the continent.

Russia expands diplomatic presence across Africa

Ushakov said Russia had expanded its diplomatic presence in Africa since 2022, opening three embassies in South Sudan, Gambia, and Comoros while resuming the operations of five diplomatic missions in Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

He also highlighted continued coordination with African countries in international forums, particularly the United Nations, on issues including counterterrorism, drug trafficking, and cybercrime.

Moscow is seeking to strengthen partnerships across Africa in trade, energy, infrastructure, and security, alongside its efforts to expand diplomatic representation on the continent.

Forecasting a 28% rise in global gas demand by 2055

Separately, Ushakov highlighted the importance of cooperation among natural gas-exporting countries, citing projections that global gas demand will increase by 28% by 2055.

Global demand is expected to rise from approximately 4.2 trillion cubic meters to 5.4 trillion cubic meters, he said, underscoring the need for increased investment and stable supplies.

Ushakov pointed to growing challenges facing the global gas industry, including tensions in the Middle East, attacks on Russia's Nord Stream pipelines, and Western restrictions on the purchase of gas, equipment, and technology.

He called for a platform for professional dialogue free from political disputes, identifying the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) as a suitable framework for coordination among producers.

Ushakov also noted that Russia holds the world's largest proven natural gas reserves and ranks second globally in production, describing supply stability as essential to meeting rising global demand.

Moscow hosts Gas Exporting Countries Forum summit

Moscow is hosting the eighth summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum on Tuesday, bringing together representatives of member and observer countries to discuss developments in energy markets and challenges facing the global gas industry.

The summit is expected to issue the Moscow Declaration, which is set to address the role of natural gas in global energy security, market stability, and cooperation among producers in technology and investment.

The Russia-Africa Summit and the gas forum are taking place in the same week as Moscow pursues efforts to expand its international partnerships and cooperation in trade, food security, and energy.