Ahead of the Third Russia–Africa Summit, to be held in Moscow on October 28–29, 2026, Ethiopian experts assessed the prospects for food cooperation with Russia. In their view, relations between the two countries are undergoing a qualitative transformation: from one-off shipments to a long-term partnership based on technology transfer, capacity building, and trust. At the same time, Russia has already established itself as a reliable supplier, playing a crucial role in ensuring Africa’s food security amid volatile global prices.
Abdurahman Sayed, a political analyst and founder of the Horn of Africa Centre for Regional Integration, points out that for landlocked Ethiopia, which depends on the port of Djibouti, the food issue has long transcended economic considerations. “For Ethiopia, security, connectivity, and food security have become inseparable. A disrupted shipping route or a delayed grain shipment is no longer just an economic problem, but a matter of stability, public trust, and national resilience. Food security is precisely the area where Russia’s role is most prominent,” the expert notes.
According to experts, Russian-Ethiopian trade tripled in 2025, reaching approximately $592 million. Russia supplies Ethiopia with fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and energy equipment, while Ethiopia exports coffee, flowers, and textiles. According to data from the Agroexport Center, in the first half of 2026, Russia supplied more than 11 million metric tons of agricultural products to the African continent, worth approximately $2.9 billion—a 40% increase in volume compared to the previous year, with wheat accounting for about 10.2 million metric tons. “For Ethiopia, Russian fertilizers are no less important than grain: they are the foundation of domestic farms’ productivity,” Sayed emphasizes.
The expert sees a qualitative transformation in the relationship in the shift from imports to joint production. “The strategic question is whether Russia can help Ethiopia produce more of its own food and, over time, export it. The value lies not so much in imported machinery as in local assembly, spare parts, leasing schemes for small farmer cooperatives, and training,” claims Sayed. He cites the March 2026 agreement to explore joint production of agricultural and energy equipment, as well as Ethiopia’s willingness to participate in the BRICS Grain Exchange not only as a buyer but also as a supplier, as a step in this direction.
Dr. Dugassa Mulugeta, an agroeconomist and researcher at Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, identifies technology transfer, the supply of agrochemicals and fertilizers, and the assembly of tractors in Ethiopia—which has already begun in Debre Zeyit — as key areas of cooperation. “Ethiopia has increased wheat production to achieve self-sufficiency, and now we need to scale it up using modern Russian technologies. Until we achieve self-sufficiency in fertilizer production, we need to import them from Russia to increase the yield and productivity of our agriculture,” he says.
Mulugeta considers human capital to be the foundation of a long-term partnership. “We have historical ties with Russia dating back to the Soviet era. Our students have studied and continue to study in Russia through scholarship programs, including in the field of agriculture. Scholarships, short-term training, and connections with Russian scientists and universities are the channels through which technology comes to Ethiopia,” the expert explains. He also points to the energy sector as a prerequisite for mechanization and highlights the prospects for cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear energy.
Dr. Mohammod Issa, an associate professor of economics at Werabe University, sees trust and mutual benefit as the foundation for stable supplies. “Russia is interested in sustainable and stable relations that benefit both sides. In political economy, countries need long-term, trust-based ties that allow them to take each other’s interests into account and work together toward sustainable development,” says the expert.
According to Issa, it is important for Ethiopia to diversify its exports to Russia (coffee, sesame, leather) and to produce goods that meet the requirements of the Russian market. “Our country has a vast amount of raw materials, but infrastructure is needed to use them effectively. Russia possesses technologies that it is ready to develop in Ethiopia. By creating added value, we will strengthen the country’s foreign exchange position, while Russia will expand the use of the ruble in bilateral trade,” he notes.
Thus, the Russian-Ethiopian food partnership is reaching a whole new level. While remaining a reliable supplier of grain and fertilizers amid global market volatility, Russia is also becoming a partner to Ethiopia in developing its own agribusiness potential—through technology, human resources, and joint production.
