Olga Ponomareva, Expert at the Economic Policy Fund (EPF), spoke in a commentary for Nezavisimaya Gazeta about the structure of Russian exports to the African continent, promising niches for domestic businesses, and the main barriers faced by Russian companies.
According to the expert, three key categories currently form the basis of the export basket. First, there are grains and foodstuffs: Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, and Morocco consistently rank among the top 10 importers of Russian wheat, driven by rapid population growth and the need to ensure food security. Second, there are energy resources, which are essential for the operation of local industry and transportation.
“Together, petroleum products and wheat account for more than half of Russia’s exports to Africa, reflecting the high concentration of the export basket,” noted Olga Ponomareva. The third traditional export category is mineral fertilizers, for which demand is growing as African countries seek to develop their own agro-industrial sectors.
At the same time, the structure of demand varies significantly from country to country, which opens up opportunities for diversification. For example, in 2025, machinery, equipment, and vehicles accounted for nearly half of Russian exports to Ethiopia, while chemical products made up one-fifth.
Looking ahead, the expert highlights growing demand for machinery and equipment for industry and agriculture. Given partners’ limited resources, the mid-price segment is particularly in demand—relatively inexpensive and reliable solutions that do not require complex maintenance (agricultural machinery, water supply equipment, and raw material processing equipment). High-tech solutions and digital services are also promising areas: cybersecurity, fintech, software for the public sector, and agrotechnology. Medical and biotechnological solutions, including pharmaceuticals and epidemic monitoring technologies, hold particular long-term potential.
However, Russian businesses face a number of challenges in entering African markets. Olga Ponomareva identifies payment issues and sanctions risks as the main constraints, since local banks are largely oriented toward the U.S. dollar and European financial systems and are mindful of the threat of secondary sanctions.
In addition, many African countries face budget deficits, high debt burdens, and inflationary pressures. Under such conditions, external sources of financing—such as export credit, leasing, and support from development institutions—play a critical role. We must also not overlook the weak transport and logistics connectivity within the continent, as well as fierce competition from China, the U.S., and EU countries, which can offer more substantial resource support for projects.
In this regard, the expert suggests that Russia develop a strategic focus on those countries and industries where domestic companies possess real technological advantages and can offer competitive, comprehensive solutions. As successful examples of this approach, the expert cited the construction of the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant in Egypt and the entry of the Wildberries marketplace into the Ethiopian market.