Prospects for cooperation between the EAEU and Africa

The Eurasian Economic Union has always considered Africa among the most promising partners for cooperation. Over the past decade, trade between EAEU countries and African states has been steadily growing. In 2018-2024, the EAEU's trade with African countries totaled $30bn (Russia accounted for $24.5bn). The main EAEU exports to the African market are wheat, oil, vegetable oils, rolled steel, motor vehicles, coal and telecommunication equipment. Fruit, citrus fruits, cocoa beans, fossil ores and vegetables are traditionally imported from African countries.

Russia has been playing a key role in the development of relations between the EAEU and the countries of the African continent. Russian exports to Africa have increased significantly (by 43% by 2025, or $21.2 billion out of $24.5 billion of the total trade turnover), of which up to 90% are oil and oil products, wheat, fertilisers and metal products.

Russia does not limit itself to trade in traditional products. We are also discussing supplies of technologies, equipment for oil and gas production and processing, participation in the construction and modernisation of African countries' infrastructure, and joint scientific research. The Russian side is also actively increasing investment in African countries, in parallel concluding agreements on promotion and mutual protection. It is planned that by the early 2030s, the share of Russian investments in Africa will reach about 15 per cent of the total volume of foreign investments in Africa.

If the EAEU and African countries come to a final understanding of the need to jointly build a new system of global trade and international relations, this will be the beginning of a new era of the cooperation with the prospect of huge benefits for both sides.

Based on the article by Egor Lisovenko on the information portal “Rhythm of Eurasia” (19 May 2025).