Trade between Russia and Ethiopia surged to more than US$435 million in 2025, nearly tripling from the previous year, highlighting a rapidly deepening economic relationship anchored in commodities, agriculture and emerging technology partnerships.
The sharp rise was disclosed by Russia’s ambassador to Ethiopia, Evgeny Terekhin, who attributed the growth to stronger Russian exports of fertilisers, agricultural machinery and energy equipment, alongside rising Ethiopian shipments of coffee, flowers and textiles. He said traditional export items on both sides had become key growth drivers, supported by sustained demand and expanding cooperation frameworks.
Coffee has emerged as the most visible symbol of the expanding trade ties. Ethiopian beans, particularly the Sidamo and Harar varieties, have gained significant popularity among Russian consumers. According to figures cited by the ambassador, Ethiopia’s coffee exports to Russia rose from about $46 million in 2024 to an inflation-adjusted $123 million in 2025. Import volumes more than doubled over the same period, increasing from roughly 8,300 tonnes to about 18,300 tonnes.
Beyond goods trade, cooperation is extending into digital commerce. Ethiopian authorities have granted Russian online marketplaces a so-called green corridor, easing regulatory barriers to market entry. Russian e-commerce platforms Wildberries and Russ, now operating under the merged entity RWB, are preparing to launch in Ethiopia after adapting their platforms to local consumer preferences. Terekhin said technical integration and product localisation were already underway, signalling that Russian tech expansion into Ethiopia had moved from planning to execution.
Analysts view the development as potentially transformative for Ethiopia’s fast-growing retail sector, injecting new competition and digital innovation while offering Russian firms a strategic foothold in East Africa’s consumer markets.
The trade expansion has also been linked to progress on large-scale industrial cooperation. At a bilateral intergovernmental commission meeting in November 2025, Russia’s aluminium producer Rusal signed agreements with Ethiopian Investment Holdings to explore the construction of an aluminium plant in Ethiopia. If realised, the project could position Ethiopia as a regional metals hub and significantly deepen Russia’s industrial presence on the continent.
Ethiopia reports fivefold revenue increase following economic reforms
