Russian government has reiterated its commitment to supporting Africa’s development by implementing investment projects aimed at helping African nations harness their natural resources, boost industrial capacity and enhance the quality of life for their citizens.
The renewed commitment comes at a time when Russia is, for the first time, hosting the Ministerial Conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum in Cairo, Egypt, from December 19 to 20, 2025,
Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized Russia’s readiness to collaborate across key sectors. He highlighted opportunities for cooperation in energy, mineral resource management, logistics, transport, infrastructure and advanced technologies such as digital innovation and artificial intelligence.
Lavrov also underscored Russia’s willingness to share expertise in agriculture, including farming, livestock breeding, fertilizer production, irrigation, and fisheries.
“We are open for interaction not only on a bilateral basis, but also with African multilateral mechanisms, primarily the African Union,” he stated.
He added that Russia seeks to involve like-minded partners from Eurasian organizations, especially the Eurasian Economic Union.
The Minister stressed the importance of the Forum in deepening and diversifying Russia’s bilateral ties with African nations, which he described as evolving dynamically. He also reaffirmed Russia’s stance at the United Nations and other global platforms in advocating for the elimination of neo-colonial practices.
Lavrov noted that many African countries are actively participating in the “For the Freedom of Nations!” international movement, initiated by Russia’s United Russia political party. He praised Africa’s efforts to present a unified voice on the global stage and affirmed that Russian diplomacy supports the continent’s emergence as a key pillar in a multipolar world.
“This priority is enshrined in the Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation. We believe that the inalienable right of African countries to independently determine the ways and models of their development and to choose international partners,” he explained.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia, he said, places strong emphasis on promoting peace and security in Africa—conditions essential for sustainable socio-economic progress. In line with the principle of “African solutions to African problems,” Russia is contributing to conflict resolution and enhancing the capacity of African states to combat terrorism and other security threats.
The framework for Russia–Africa cooperation is detailed in the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum Action Plan 2023–2026. This plan encompasses areas such as security, energy, trade, education, science, and culture, and aligns closely with the African Union’s Agenda 2063: “The Africa We Want.”
Russia’s growing engagement with Africa is also evident in its expanding diplomatic footprint. In 2025, new embassies were opened in Niger, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan, with upcoming missions planned for Gambia, Liberia, Togo, and the Comoros. Meanwhile, Botswana and Togo are preparing to establish embassies in Moscow.
Trade between Russia and Africa continues to grow, with bilateral trade volume surpassing $27 billion in the past year—an increase of more than 50% since 2019. Current priorities include boosting trade with sub-Saharan African countries, increasing African exports to Russia, and developing reliable mutual settlement systems using national currencies.
Intergovernmental commissions focused on trade, economic, scientific, and technical cooperation are playing a vital role in strengthening business ties. Further momentum is expected from the African Continental Free Trade Area, which envisions a unified market with a combined GDP exceeding $3 trillion.
