The African market offers promising niches for Russian business

Africa is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for Russian companies, opening up broad opportunities for business. Russian Export Center (REC, VEB Group) actively supports domestic enterprises in entering African markets, offering tools and services, as well as creating infrastructure to strengthen Russia's economic ties with African countries.

"Africa is of particular interest to Russian business as a continent with many free market niches. Our exports to the region are growing dynamically, but so far trade is concentrated in a limited number of countries, and product diversification remains insufficient. Wheat and oil products account for about 65% of supplies. This is why we intend to expand the presence of Russian companies in Africa," Tatyana An, Vice President of the Russian Export Center, INNOPROM-2025.

According to her, in 2024, the REC Group supported export deliveries to Africa in the amount of 121.8 billion rubles. The main destinations were Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia, Côte d'Ivoire, Algeria, Morocco and other countries.

"We are actively developing foreign infrastructure. We have already created a bridge with Egypt, opening a representative office of Russian Export Center in Cairo. The country has a pavilion where more than 350 branded Made in Russia agricultural products are presented. Thanks to this, many Russian manufacturers have entered Egyptian retail chains," Tatyana An.

The Vice President of REC emphasized that the Group plans strengthening cooperation in key areas: expanding the export range, including high-tech equipment and services, developing educational programs and exchanging experience to build ties between Russia and Africa.