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Russian President Vladimir Putin praised record trade between the two countries as Moscow seeks to use its economic ties with Egypt to expand its influence in African markets. AnewZ reported that Putin made the remarks on Wednesday during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow.
Putin said bilateral trade exceeded $10 billion for the first time in 2025 and rose by a further 14% in the first eight months of 2026. Anadolu Agency reported the figures.
Putin said Russia’s overall trade with Africa has increased by 50% since 2022, surpassing $27 billion. Moscow is seeking to move beyond commodity exports and expand its participation in manufacturing, infrastructure and energy projects across the continent.
Egypt offers Russia a gateway to African markets
Grain remains one of Russia’s main exports to Egypt, according to the Egyptian State Information Service. Russia also exports vegetable oils, fuel, iron and steel to Egypt.
Russia supplied Egypt with 8.3 million tonnes of wheat in the 2024/25 marketing year, making it the country’s largest wheat supplier, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Moscow aims to expand existing trade ties. According to the Egyptian Presidency, el-Sisi and Putin discussed plans on Wednesday to establish a Russian industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
The project aims to attract Russian manufacturers to Egypt, increase local production and strengthen commercial ties with African markets. The zone could enable Russian companies to manufacture goods closer to customers across the continent rather than relying solely on exports.
Nuclear energy cooperation with Egypt also discussed
Russia’s economic ties with Egypt also include one of the country’s largest energy projects. Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom is building the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. The plant will have four reactors with a combined capacity of 4,800 megawatts.
Putin said on Wednesday that construction was proceeding on schedule. El-Sisi called the plant one of the most significant bilateral cooperation projects and urged continued support to meet agreed deadlines. Anadolu Agency reported the remarks.
El-Sisi also raised the possibility of developing additional power units, a research reactor and testing facilities after 2030, as well as cooperation on small-scale nuclear technologies.
Rosatom is in advanced talks on the possible construction of floating nuclear power plants in Egypt, Togo, Namibia and Tanzania, Reuters reported. The facilities would use compact nuclear reactors installed on towable vessels and would require less coastal infrastructure than conventional nuclear power plants.
No specific commitments have been announced. The talks, however, reflect Russia’s efforts to bring its nuclear technology to new African markets.
Moscow seeks to expand cooperation with African countries
Delegations from 48 African countries, including 22 heads of state, attended the summit, Reuters reported. Putin offered participants expanded cooperation in grain and fertilizer supplies, transport infrastructure, agriculture and technology.
He pledged support for local production and called for African countries to have stronger representation in the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
Moscow presents its proposals as an alternative to Western-led economic partnerships. Without naming specific governments, Putin accused Western countries of exploiting Africa’s resources and imposing unfavorable financial terms.
Moscow is seeking to strengthen its influence in Africa amid Western pressure over the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported. Western governments have accused Russian paramilitary forces of supporting military-led governments in some African countries to increase Moscow’s influence. Russia rejects the accusations.
New initiatives discussed with Ethiopia and Togo
Talks with Ethiopia and Togo, in addition to Egypt, highlighted Russia’s efforts to turn its plans for Africa into concrete projects.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed proposed signing a formal agreement on nuclear cooperation with Russia, including defining financing mechanisms and training Ethiopian engineers and regulatory staff, according to a Kremlin statement cited by Anadolu Agency. He also called for expanded access for Ethiopian exports to the Russian market.
On Wednesday, Rosatom signed a memorandum of understanding with Togolese officials to explore cooperation in civilian nuclear technology. The document provides for assessing potential energy projects and developing technical expertise, but does not commit either side to building a nuclear power plant.
The summit is expected to conclude with the adoption of an action plan for 2027–2029 under the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum. The plan will set out Russia’s priorities for expanding cooperation in trade, energy and infrastructure across the continent.
