Putin Pulls 32 African Nations Into Duty-Free Trade as Russia-Africa Trade Hits $27 Billion

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with African leaders in Moscow this week for the third Russia-Africa Summit, where he announced that 32 African countries now export goods to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) without paying customs duties [273551]. The EAEU is a trade bloc led by Russia that also includes Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan [273551]. Putin presented the duty-free access as a sign of deepening economic ties between Moscow and the continent [273551].

Trade between Russia and African countries exceeded US$27 billion last year, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, as Moscow seeks to expand economic cooperation with the continent [273114]. The summit, which opened Wednesday in Moscow, features a packed agenda of high-level and bilateral talks and agreements [273130].

On the sidelines of the summit, Putin held separate meetings with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed [273644]. During the talks, Putin said Russia's trade turnover with Egypt is "growing steadily" despite regional tensions [273644].

Putin also met with African leaders and government delegates gathered for the summit, with talks focusing on trade, security, arms deals, and grain supplies [273578]. The meeting is part of the Kremlin's strategic efforts to expand its influence in Africa [273578].