Beyond old orbits: The year Africa and Russia redefined global partnerships

2025-12-25 12:38 29 min

As African agency grows, the continent is playing an increasingly important role in world processes

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the developments in Russia-Africa relations over the past year. What aspects of bilateral relations have evolved? What has changed, and what remained the same?

RT in collaboration with the Center for African Studies at the Higher School of Economics (HSE) presents a special overview of the key events and trends that shaped Russia-Africa relations this year. While it’s not possible to mention every event, meeting, and milestone that occurred, we hope that any single event will fit into one of the following categories.

Read more Can Africa and Russia rewrite global rules, together?

Revitalization of investments

In 2025, we saw the development of several investment projects involving Russian companies in Africa. These investment opportunities complemented the ongoing trade cooperation between Russia and the continent. While many previously announced projects had remained on paper, this year, three key initiatives involving the firms saw major developments.

In July 2025, an intergovernmental agreement between Russia and the Republic of Congo came into effect for the construction of the Pointe-Noire–Loutété–Maloukou-Tréchot oil pipeline. The agreement is set for a 30-year term, following which it may be automatically extended for another five years. The project will be headed by the Russian company Zakneftegazstroy-Prometey and the Congolese state company SNPC. The parties are now tasked with completing the pipeline design and securing financing.

“Once operational, the pipeline will enhance energy security in the interior regions of the Republic of Congo, including its capital, Brazzaville, as well as border areas with the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Vsevolod Sviridov, Deputy Director of the Center for African Studies at HSE University.

Also in July, Mantra Tanzania (a subsidiary of Rosatom) launched a pilot uranium processing facility at the Mkuju River project in southern Tanzania. The inauguration was attended by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The facility will test technological methods for uranium processing, and the collected data will be used for the construction of the main processing complex with a capacity of up to 3,000 tons of uranium per year. Construction of this complex, according to Rosatom, is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2026, with operations slated to begin in 2029.

Another notable advancement is the progress on Rosatom’s El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project in Egypt. This initiative is not classified as an investment project; it’s being financed through a Russian loan and set to be handed over to Egypt upon completion. However, it remains the largest Russian-backed project underway in Africa.

In November, a ceremonial event marked the installation of the reactor vessel for the first power unit. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi participated in the event via videoconference. This ceremony signified a pivotal phase in the plant’s technological development and construction progress (which began in 2022).

The construction site of the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) during a ceremony to install the reactor vessel at its first power unit in Egypt. © Sputnik / Rosatom Relocation of Russia-Africa events to Africa

The year 2025 was marked by a series of Russia-Africa events held on the African continent. This signifies a significant shift from past years, when most meetings, including the Russia-Africa summits, took place in Russia. In November, the Russian agency Rossotrudnichestvo organized a conference in Addis Ababa focused on food sovereignty in African nations. This event brought together officials, representatives from international organizations, business leaders, and academics to discuss the key challenges surrounding food security in Africa and Russia’s role in addressing them.

On December 20, 2025, Cairo hosted the Second Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum. During this event, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held bilateral talks with over 20 African ministers of foreign affairs.

Participants attend a plenary session of the 2nd Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in Cairo, Egypt. © Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov

Additionally, several other initiatives occurred across Africa, including Russia-Uganda and Russia-Algeria intergovernmental commissions. A dedicated session on Russia-Africa cooperation also took place during the African Energy Week.

“All of this contributes significantly to shaping the agenda for the upcoming Russia-Africa summit scheduled for 2026, and prepares the Russian side for organizing large-scale events on African soil. In the long term, we can expect Russia-Africa communication to shift to Africa,” Sviridov noted.

New ambassadors and embassies

In 2025, Russia-Africa relations also strengthened on an institutional level. In September, Russia appointed an ambassador to Niger; in October and December, Russia appointed ambassadors to South Sudan and Sierra Leone, respectively. The opening of Russian embassies in these countries is planned, and the appointment of ambassadors is a crucial step in this process. In November, the Russian government approved a Foreign Ministry proposal to establish an embassy in Moroni, the capital of the Union of the Comoros.

The embassy acts as an “institutional anchor,” transitioning interactions from sporadic contacts to a stable system of ongoing communication channels. Therefore, the appointment of ambassadors and the anticipated establishment of new embassies in several African nations in 2025 represent a move towards long-term collaboration. A notable example is the Comoros – earlier, its citizens had to travel to Madagascar for consular services, including obtaining Russian visas.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a meeting ahead of a military parade on Victory Day. © Sputnik / Mikhail Metzel Growth of imports from Africa to Russia

Last year set a record for Russia-Africa trade, which reached $27.7 billion. According to Vsevolod Sviridov, “In 2025, a significant increase in trade volume is not expected; it will likely remain within the range of $25–30 billion.”

Preliminary trade data for 2025 indicates that Russian exports to Africa from January to October amounted to $17.6 billion, down 14.4%. However, imports from Africa showed substantial growth, reaching $3.7 billion (an increase of 31.4%). It is likely that by the end of the year, imports from Africa will set a historical record, surpassing the $4 billion mark.

The rise in imports is due to the establishment of direct trade channels between Russia and African countries, particularly for agricultural products like coffee and fruit. Conversely, the decline in exports highlights the limitations of a “market-driven” trading model, which relies heavily on intermediaries and commodity exchanges. Boosting Russian exports to Africa will require a more dedicated effort from exporters, including investments in supply chains, market research, and workforce development.

Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Mahmoud Thabit Kombo and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov shake hands as they pose for photos before a meeting on the sidelines of the 2nd Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in Cairo, Egypt. © Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov A new generation of diplomats

In 2025, a reshuffling took place among diplomats working with Africa. This change was part of the routine cycles and traditions of the Russian diplomatic service – diplomats transition between working in Moscow and foreign embassies. As a result, a new generation of diplomats now oversees relations with Africa, succeeding those who revitalized cooperation in the latter half of the 2010s.

In August 2024, Anatoly Bashkin, the former Russian ambassador to Cameroon, was appointed director of the Africa department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In February 2025, the ministry introduced a new division, the Department for Partnership with Africa, headed by Tatyana Dovgalenko. This department will focus on enhancing Russia-Africa relations, including organizing summits and addressing pan-African issues. Additionally, in July 2025, Sergey Vershinin was appointed as the new deputy foreign minister overseeing African affairs.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin and foreign leaders at a joint wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Alexander Garden, Moscow. © Sputnik / Grigory Sysoev Engagement within BRICS

The crisis facing multilateral platforms became evident this year. Due to several factors, the effectiveness in crafting collective responses to challenges has decreased and affected organizations like the UN, G20, and other regional bodies. In contrast, there has been a notable increase in the popularity of bilateral and regional summits.

Read more Why the G20 both lost and found its way

BRICS is also experiencing a transformation. Over the past two years, its “African track” has organically complemented Russia-Africa relations – Egypt and Ethiopia joined BRICS in 2023, and Uganda and Nigeria were granted partner status in 2024.

For now, the expanded organization is adapting to its new configuration and developing a fresh approach, including to its relations with Africa. The focus on Africa has decreased during Brazil’s presidency in 2025, compared to 2023-2024. However, as our expert notes, “In 2026, India will hold the BRICS presidency; India has always prioritized Africa and collaboration with the Global South, so we expect to see more activity in this area.”

Sahel countries: more than security

Cooperation with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) is growing. A decision was made to establish intergovernmental commissions with these countries. In July 2025, a Russian government delegation led by Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev visited Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, marking a significant step in boosting trade and economic ties with these nations.

Additionally, in 2025, an agreement outlining the foundational aspects of relations between Russia and Mali was signed and ratified, setting the stage for collaboration in various fields, including military-political and economic dimensions. The Russian Foreign Ministry plans to conclude similar agreements with Burkina Faso and Niger.

Russia’s cooperation with the Sahel countries has notably evolved. While maintaining a military component, it has expanded beyond just military instructors.

“Russia has developed a more comprehensive model of interaction with Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, viewing security not just in physical terms, but also developing cooperation in food and energy security, and information security,” says Sviridov.

Russian Minister of Energy Sergey Tsivilev and Burkina Faso’s interim leader Ibrahim Traore. © Telegram / @minenergo_official Boosting education

In 2025, growth in the field of Russia-Africa education cooperation continues, with more than 32,000 African students enrolled in Russian universities (2024 already saw a 6% increase comparing to 2023). This figure represents about 10% of all foreign students in Russia.

Russia hopes to expand the number of foreign students to 700,000 by 2030, and is turning to scholarships and the promotion of its language through Russian Houses, as well as cultural centers run by the country’s agency for international cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo).

This strategic push addresses Africa’s surging demand for high-quality, cost-effective education, particularly in medicine, engineering, IT, and agriculture. Over 1,600 students from 45 African countries are enrolled in agricultural programs. Applications from African nationals for agricultural studies in Russia have grown fivefold between 2020 and 2025. While Egypt and Algeria lead student sources, interest is robust across Tanzania, South Africa, Angola, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso.

The agency currently works in 22 African nations, with eight official offices – in South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Zambia, Morocco, Republic of the Congo, Tanzania and Tunisia – and 14 Russian Houses run by local partners, including Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Mali, Namibia, Niger, Somalia, Sierra Leone, the Central African Republic, Chad, and Equatorial Guinea.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly underscored that education is a priority sector in engagement with African nations. In June, he noted that more than 40 Russian universities have established partnerships with local institutions in South Africa alone, and that around 570 South African students are currently studying at Russian universities.

Students from Cameroon take selfies during a visit to the Damba Braibunling Datsan in Chita, Russia. © Sputnik / Evgeny Yepanchintsev Sports diplomacy

Russia-Africa collaboration in sports diplomacy continued this year. The Russian national soccer team played friendly matches against African teams, including a match with Nigeria in Moscow on June 6 (ending in a 1-1 draw) and with Zambia on March 25 (Russia won 5-0). The Nigerian team was one of the strongest opponents Russia has faced since 2021. The match drew over 45,000 spectators at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.

Another noteworthy aspect was the “Olympic” initiative: African Olympic organizations, particularly the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) have consistently supported the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions. As a result, the IOC has recommended easing restrictions for youth athletes from Russia and Belarus, particularly concerning the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.

Russia's Matvey Kislyak, Zambia's Miguel Chaiwa and Zambia's Dominic Kanda struggle for the ball during the friendly soccer match between Russia and Zambia in Moscow, Russia. © Sputnik / Alexander Vilf Russian art in Africa, African art in Russia

In 2025, the cultural dialogue between Russia and Africa deepened. Russians continued to show interest in African heritage and contemporary art. In Moscow, Africa-themed events became an important part of the cultural calendar. The Museum of Oriental Art opened the three-part exhibition “Africa at the Museum of Oriental Art” which included the exhibition “Mami Wata: water spirits south of the Sahara.” At the new ZILART museum, a major exhibition titled “African art: gods, ancestors, life” showcased over 1,000 artifacts.

Cultural collaboration extended beyond exhibitions. The XVII International Chekhov Theatre Festival in Moscow (May 23 – July 25, 2025) featured productions from South Africa, including the music and dance production MOYA. The Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS) fostered partnerships with African organizations, while the Moscow Conservatory and the Bamako Conservatory signed a cooperation agreement.

The exposition of the exhibition 'Africa in the Museum of the East'. © Press service of the Museum of Oriental Art

Russian art is also slowly gaining traction in Africa. In addition to photography exhibitions, some exhibitions of Russian art took place in Africa; for instance, the reproductions of artworks by Nikolai Roerich were exhibited in Rabat in 2025.

Another important field is film diplomacy – Russian film festivals took place in the Seychelles and Djibouti in 2025.

Media collaboration

In 2025, collaboration between Russia and Africa in the media sector intensified. A multifunctional editorial center for Radio Sputnik opened in Addis Ababa in February. Educational partnerships continued through initiatives like RT Academy, which offers specialized courses for African journalists and bloggers, and Sputnik Pro.

Cooperation between RT and the African Union of Broadcasters (AUB) also strengthened. In November 2025, TASS organized an international press tour titled “TASS–Africa: A Path of Friendship” and announced plans to expand its network of bureaus across various African countries.

The healthcare sector became one of the most rapidly evolving areas of Russia-Africa interaction in 2025. The Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) increased its presence in Africa, sharing its expertise on epidemic response and sanitary oversight.

In April, joint exercises simulating epidemic responses took place in Addis Ababa, focusing on real scenarios of the spread of infectious diseases and improving coordination between African health services and Russian experts.

A cornerstone of Russia’s medical diplomacy in Africa is the Russian Red Cross Dejazmach Balcha Hospital in Addis Ababa— the first and only Russian multi-disciplinary clinic on the continent, operating since 1947, and a unique symbol of Russian-Ethiopian friendship. In 2025, after a prolonged crisis, discussions regarding the hospital’s future and modernization gained momentum.

This year, a delegation of 30 Orthodox Christian clergy from 22 African countries visited Russia. The visit included a pilgrimage and a conference of the African Exarchate of the Moscow Patriarchate. The group, led by Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa, included clerics from South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and other nations. Bishop Yevfimiy Lukhovitskiy, a vicar of the Exarchate, also participated in the events.

A delegation of 30 Orthodox priests from 22 African countries visited the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

The African clergy attended church services presided over by Patriarch Kirill, including an all-night vigil at Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow and a joint liturgy at the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra, one of the key spiritual centers of the Russian Orthodox Church.

An important part of the visit was the conference of the African Exarchate. More than 30 reports were presented on missionary work, catechesis, religious education, and pastoral practices in Africa.

Social and humanitarian outreach remains an important aspect of the Exarchate’s mission. In 2025, the Russian Orthodox Church continued projects aimed at aiding local communities, including the construction of schools, food assistance, and the provision of humanitarian supplies. Efforts were made to provide access to clean drinking water, particularly in rural areas. For example, the first well-drilling project supported by the African Exarchate was launched in the northern regions of Cameroon.

Similar initiatives have previously been implemented in Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia. These projects are funded through voluntary donations and are carried out in close collaboration with local congregations and communities.

What’s next?

2025 has been a year of intensive rather than extensive growth in terms of Russia-Africa relations. Russia has shifted from establishing new platforms and forging partnerships to enriching the bilateral agenda and developing sector-specific cooperation. A significant milestone was the series of Russia-Africa events hosted directly on African soil.

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A notable trend is that most initiatives continue to evolve over time, and in areas like healthcare and education, they have materialized into concrete projects. However, Russia is still cautious about engaging in large-scale initiatives, opting instead for various “introductory” activities. Consequently, while political understanding is growing, it has yet to translate into substantial acceleration in trade and economic collaboration.

At the same time, interpersonal relationships are also blossoming—more Africans are traveling to Russia, and more Russians are visiting Africa, fostering humanitarian ties that complement the political and economic aspects.

The year 2026 will be crucial for bilateral relations. We anticipate more news regarding Russia-Africa interactions, especially since the third Russia-Africa summit is scheduled for next year. The current crisis in “summit diplomacy” and the maturation of Russia-Africa relations signify that it will differ from the summits held in 2023 and 2019. We can expect more bilateral contacts and the establishment of sector-specific cooperation in areas such as energy, digitalization, food security, healthcare, and education.

The global landscape is shifting, with the US, China, and the EU reassessing their policies in Africa. Therefore, we may expect adjustments in Russia’s approach as well. As African agency grows, the continent itself will play an increasingly important role in the process, and the effectiveness of dialogue and Russian policy in the region will largely depend on the will and capabilities of the African nations.

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