Russia Opens Third Moscow-Africa Summit Amidst Thin Trade Ties

Russia opened its third Russia-Africa summit in Moscow on October 28. The two-day event runs through October 29 and aims to strengthen economic cooperation. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has increased his visits to the continent in recent years. Foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova described the diplomatic effort as a "historic return." The summit includes sessions on politics, security, science, and culture, though economic topics remain the central focus.

The summit follows a pattern of roughly three-year intervals. The first meeting took place in 2019. Russia has sought to build support outside Western blocs since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Despite the high-level attention, active engagement remains limited to a small number of African states. Most of these partners are located in the northern part of the continent.

Egypt serves as the clearest example of this concentrated relationship. Russian Federal Customs Service data show bilateral trade reached $10.5 billion in 2025. This figure is more than double the level recorded in 2021. Russian grain drives the majority of this exchange, followed by metal products. Egypt primarily exports fruit and vegetables to Russia. Moscow is also constructing a large nuclear power plant at El-Dabaa on the Mediterranean coast. A $25 billion Russian loan funds the project, covering approximately 85% of the total costs.

Nikita Smagin, an expert on Russian policy in the Middle East, noted that Egypt could become Moscow's gateway to other markets. He cautioned that Cairo pursues its own interests. Smagin argued it would be too optimistic to expect support based purely on political solidarity. Ivan Klyszcz of the International Centre for Defence and Security in Tallinn identified Algeria as another key partner. He stated that efforts to deepen ties with Tanzania and Ethiopia have not yet shown appreciable success.

Russian customs data place total trade with all 54 African countries at about $27 billion in 2025. Egypt accounts for roughly 39% of that total. Africa represents just 3.9% of Russia's foreign trade. The continent is also not a major partner for Russia compared to other global powers. The European Union traded about $385 billion with Africa. China exchanged more than $348 billion. The United States traded almost $105 billion, and India traded $103 billion.

Analyst Fidel Owusu observed that middle powers like Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are outperforming Russia in the region. Beverly Ochieng of Control Risks expects Russia to compete more aggressively for critical minerals and energy projects. She cited lithium deposits in Mali and nuclear initiatives as key areas of focus. Russia's presence in security is more visible than its trade footprint. Russian mercenaries, initially the Wagner Group and now the defense ministry-controlled Africa Corps, have supported governments in unstable Sahel states.

Affiliated companies have gained access to raw materials through these security arrangements. The Congressional Research Service reports that the largest Russian contingents, each numbering several thousand, are in the Central African Republic, Mali, and Libya. Russian fighters have also been observed in Equatorial Guinea. Irina Filatova of the University of Cape Town pointed to mineral deposits and influence over Europe's southern borders as strategic drivers. She also noted Libya's role as a logistics hub for landlocked states.

Russia remains a leading arms supplier to the continent despite falling exports during the war. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimates Russia's share of the African arms market for 2021 to 2025 at 15%. This ranks third behind the United States at 19% and China at 17%. From 2020 to 2024, Russia held the top position with a 21% market share. Diplomatic goals also drive the summit. Owusu said Africa's large number of countries matters for votes in the UN General Assembly, where Russia has performed better recently.

President Vladimir Putin told the Valdai Discussion Club that Russia aims "to develop together," distinguishing its approach from colonial powers. Filatova noted that perceptions of this narrative vary widely across the continent. The message is received very positively in South Africa. In other regions, anti-colonial sentiment is not necessarily linked to support for Russia. The summit concludes on October 29 with a focus on finalizing agreements in the scheduled sessions.