The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) held discussions on expanding trade and economic partnership with four regional economic blocs in Africa. This was reported by the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC).
The dialogues took place within the framework of the session 'EAEU and Africa: Integration Partnership' at the third 'Russia–Africa' Summit, which was held in Moscow on October 28–29, as well as during separate bilateral meetings.
The EEC Minister for Integration and Macroeconomics, Daniyar Imanaliev, defined key vectors of cooperation, including trade facilitation, digitalization of customs procedures, industrial cooperation, transport and logistics development, energy, and ensuring food security.
He emphasized that the goal of these measures is to reduce trade barriers for businesses, facilitate entry into new markets, and create conditions for joint investment projects.
At the summit, EAEU representatives discussed prospects for interaction with leaders of four African regional blocs: the Community of East and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Specifically, with SADC, which comprises 16 states, issues concerning trade in goods and services, agricultural development, infrastructure, and transport routes were reviewed. The parties agreed to study the possibilities of conducting joint events involving businesses and experts.
In negotiations with COMESA, which includes 21 states, the main focus was on modernizing and digitizing border crossings, as well as developing industry, agriculture, and food logistics. A memorandum signed between the EEC and COMESA on trade policy in 2022 is one of the foundations of this cooperation.
Furthermore, during meetings with ECCAS, a draft of a new memorandum of cooperation was discussed.
According to the Chairman of the EEC, Bakitzhan Sagintayev, the volume of trade between EAEU countries and Africa has more than doubled since 2015, exceeding the mark of 25 billion dollars.
To further develop the partnership, the EEC proposed holding EAEU events at the headquarters of African regional blocs, as well as organizing reciprocal events at the venue of the Eurasian Economic Commission. Daniyar Imanaliev also invited African partners to participate in the Eurasian Economic Forum, which will take place in Bishkek in May 2027.
