The conflict with the West sparked by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to seek support from other parts of the world. Africa has become a focus, with foreign minister Sergei Lavrov visiting the continent increasingly often. Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has described it as a "historic return," and declared no one and nothing could be compared to what Russia did for Africa in the 20th century.
A Russia-Africa summit has been held in Russia at roughly three-year intervals since 2019. The third takes place in Moscow on October 28 and 29. The program focusses on economic cooperation.
Other topics range from politics and security to science and culture. But Russia is actively working with only a few African countries, mainly in the north of the continent, and this is reflected in the trade figures. "South Africa is still Africa's largest national economy, but its volume of trade with Russia is small, far less than with Egypt and Algeria," says Ivan Klyszcz from the International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS) in Tallinn, Estonia.
"Egypt and Algeria in particular are key partners for Russia. Egypt plays an important role in this regard. Russian diplomats and business representatives are trying to extend relationships with other countries, especially Tanzania and Ethiopia, but with no appreciable success so far." Egypt is the second-largest economy in Africa, and the bilateral volume of trade with Russia has more than doubled since 2021; in 2025, according to Russia's Federal Customs Service, it was $10.5 billion (€9.4 billion).
Consignments of Russian grain are the main drivers, followed by products of the metal industry. Egypt's exports to Russia are primarily fruit and vegetables. There are investment projects, too.
Russia is building a big nuclear power plant in the Egyptian region of El-Dabaa on the Mediterranean coast. Construction is being financed by a Russian loan of 25 billion US dollars, which covers around 85% of the costs. Egypt is one of the few African countries with which Russia enjoys stable business relationships, as well as having extensive experience of cooperation, says Nikita Smagin, an expert on Russian policy in the Middle East.
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