Russia and Ethiopia in Talks to Expand Trade Cooperation

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Ethiopia’s Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration has announced the start of discussions aimed at strengthening trade cooperation with Russia.

The talks, which began on Monday, September 29, 2025, focus on facilitating the exchange of key goods such as coffee, maize, and other essential products between the two countries.

Speaking at a press briefing in Addis Ababa, Minister Kassahun Gofe said the initiative seeks to eliminate middlemen or brokers and promote direct trade with Russia.

“This program involves no other country except Russia. It is designed to support direct trade in essential goods through a platform managed by myself and my Russian counterpart, without any third-party involvement,” he explained.

The minister added that Ethiopia recently signed trade agreements with six countries including Russia, the United States, China, Turkey, Argentina, and Thailand as part of efforts to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).

He emphasized that these agreements will provide Ethiopian exporters with reliable access to markets while also strengthening the country’s position in international trade negotiations.

Gofe also highlighted Ethiopia’s interest, still under review, in deepening its trade and investment cooperation with BRICS member states.

“We are working to ensure that trade and investment partnerships with BRICS countries take on a concrete and effective structure,” he said.

Trade between Ethiopia and Russia has grown significantly in recent years, reaching $191.2 million in the first half of 2025 double the figure recorded during the same period in 2024.

Ethiopia’s exports to Russia mainly consist of coffee, while its imports include fertilizers, wheat, and agricultural machinery.