Russia is selling Africa dependence disguised as partnership
Summary
Ahead of the third Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, Russia is seeking to deepen its trade, investment and security ties with African countries. The article says trade has fallen short of Russia’s stated target, some investment projects have stalled, and certain deals leave African governments with substantial financial or contractual obligations.Key Facts
- The summit is expected to discuss investment, industrial production, food security, energy, technology and payment systems.
- Russia reported $27.1 billion in merchandise trade with Africa in 2025, below President Vladimir Putin’s $40 billion target.
- In the first eight months of 2026, Russia exported $14 billion in goods to Africa and imported $3.2 billion.
- Russia shipped 10.2 million tonnes of wheat to Africa in the first half of 2026; Egypt was its largest agricultural customer.
- Uralchem abandoned a planned $1.2 billion fertilizer complex in Angola in 2023, the year it was scheduled to start production.
- Rosatom is building four nuclear reactors at Egypt’s El Dabaa site, employing more than 18,000 Egyptians; the project is largely financed by a $25 billion Russian loan to Egypt.
- A proposed pipeline in the Republic of Congo would give Russian interests 90 percent of the joint venture, under a 25-year concession with guaranteed transport tariffs.
- Sweden’s Defence Research Agency identified at least 57 Russian military and security agreements involving 39 African countries. The article says Russia has shifted many operations from the Wagner Group to the Defence Ministry-controlled Africa Corps.
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