Russia’s trade with African countries exceeded $27B in 2025: Kremlin aide

By Kanyshai Butun

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia's trade with African countries exceeded $27 billion in 2025, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Monday, highlighting agriculture as a key area of cooperation, state media reported.

Russia exported 1.5 million tons of mineral fertilizers to Africa in 2025, with shipments exceeding 2.2 million tons in 2026, Ushakov said, according to the state-run news agency Tass.

Russia also supplied more than 18 million tons of grain to African countries in 2025 and exported another 13 million tons in the first nine months of 2026, he said.

Moscow is also expanding its diplomatic presence across the continent. Since 2022, Russia has opened three embassies, in South Sudan, Gambia, and the Union of the Comoros, while five other diplomatic missions have resumed operations in Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Togo, Ushakov said.

He added that Russia cooperates with African countries through international organizations, particularly the UN, on issues including counterterrorism, drug trafficking, and cybercrime.

His remarks came ahead of the Russia-Africa summit, scheduled for Oct. 28-29 in Moscow, with 48 African countries confirming participation, including 22 represented by their heads of state.

- Gas Exporting Countries Forum

Ushakov also highlighted the role of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), saying global natural gas demand is projected to rise 28% by 2055, from 4.2 trillion cubic meters to 5.4 trillion cubic meters.

He said the global gas industry needs a platform for professional, depoliticized dialogue amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, attacks on Russia's Nord Stream pipelines and Western restrictions on gas purchases, equipment, and technology.

Russia considers reliable and stable gas supplies essential to meeting growing global demand, Ushakov said, describing Moscow as a responsible participant in the global gas market and a reliable supplier.

He added that Russia holds the world's largest natural gas reserves and ranks second globally in terms of production.

The GECF summit is scheduled for Tuesday in Russia, with participants expected to adopt the Moscow Declaration at the conclusion of the event, Ushakov said.