Russia and Africa: A Partnership Growing Beyond Politics

By Yodit Admasu | African View

As the world's major powers compete for influence in Africa, Russia is quietly strengthening its presence across the continent, not only through diplomacy and security cooperation, but through trade, energy, education and industrial partnerships.

This century-old relationship has been renewed by the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, a platform established in 2019 to translate political commitments into practical cooperation between Russia and African nations. The second Russia-Africa Summit, held in St. Petersburg in 2023, has become the central mechanism guiding relations between Moscow and African governments.

Although Russia's role in Africa is often associated with defence and security, the Partnership Forum has steadily broadened its agenda. Its priorities have now focused on: expanding trade and investment; promoting agricultural cooperation and fertiliser supplies; supporting mining and mineral development; developing nuclear energy through Russia's state nuclear company, Rosatom; increasing university scholarships for African students; strengthening scientific, technological and cultural exchanges.

In recent years, Russia has also increased wheat exports to African countries, expanded fertiliser supplies, and encouraged stronger B2B cooperation as part of its long-term strategy with the continent.

The growing importance of Ethiopia in Russia's African strategy was underscored this week by the arrival of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Addis Ababa for an official working visit.

According to Ethiopian state media, the visit is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding economic cooperation, and advancing discussions on energy, trade and investment. Nuclear energy cooperation is also expected to feature prominently in talks between Russian and Ethiopian officials.

The visit reflects the long-standing diplomatic relationship between Ethiopia and Russia, which spans more than a century and has increasingly expanded into education, agriculture, energy and technology.

African governments are seeking partners that can contribute to industrialisation, food security and infrastructure development, while Russia is looking for new markets, investment opportunities and stronger political partnerships in an increasingly multipolar world.

Countries including Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, Mali, Burkina Faso and Tanzania have all deepened cooperation with Russia in various sectors ranging from energy and mining to education and agriculture.

For Africa, the growing interest from Russia comes at a time when the continent is also strengthening ties with China, India, Türkiye, the Gulf states, the European Union and the United States.

Many analysts believe this expanding competition gives African countries greater room to negotiate partnerships that align with their own development priorities as opposed to being slapped with preconditions.

The real challenge, however, is ensuring these relationships move beyond the export of raw materials and move towards creating industries, skilled jobs and value-added production within Africa.

As the Russia- Africa Partnership Forum continues to evolve, its long-term success will likely be measured not by the number of agreements signed, but by whether those agreements translate into tangible benefits for African economies and communities.

For a continent rich in resources and a young workforce, the question is no longer whether global powers are interested in Africa; it is whether Africa can use that interest to accelerate its own development.