In 2025, trade between Russia and Ethiopia exceeded $435 million, almost three times higher than the previous year, highlighting a strengthening economic partnership driven by commodities, agriculture, and growing technology collaborations.
Evgeny Terekhin, Russia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, attributed the sharp rise in bilateral trade to stronger Russian exports of fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and energy equipment, coupled with growing Ethiopian shipments of coffee, flowers, and textiles.
He noted that “traditional exports are acting as growth drivers,” reflecting sustained demand from both countries.
Coffee, in particular, has become a central feature of the trade boost. Beans from Ethiopia’s Sidamo and Harar regions are increasingly popular among Russian consumers. Terekhin reported that Ethiopian coffee exports to Russia surged from roughly $46 million in 2024 to an inflation-adjusted $123 million in 2025, while import volumes more than doubled from 8,300 tonnes to about 18,300 tonnes.
Beyond goods, he two nations are deepening cooperation in digital commerce. Russian online marketplaces have been granted a “green corridor” by Ethiopian authorities, easing regulatory hurdles. Wildberries and Russ, now operating as the merged entity RWB, are preparing to enter the Ethiopian market after tailoring their platforms to local consumer needs.
“The entry of Russian tech companies into Ethiopia is no longer theoretical,” Terekhin emphasized, highlighting ongoing efforts in technical integration and product localization. Analysts suggest this development could stimulate competition and innovation in Ethiopia’s fast-growing retail sector, while providing Russian firms with a strategic foothold in East Africa.
Industrial partnerships are also contributing to the trade surge. 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.
The project could position Ethiopia as a regional hub for metals production and further expand Russia’s industrial presence on the continent.