Russia is advancing its strategy to gain a firm foothold in Africa through the Russian Industrial Zone in Egypt, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk.
On September 14, 2025, a Russian delegation led by Overchuk arrived in Egypt to reinforce bilateral ties between the two nations, with a key focus on the large-scale industrial project located inside the Suez Canal Economic Zone at East Port Said.
Following the visit, Overchuk emphasized that the Russian Industrial Zone would serve as a springboard for broader access to African markets, as reported by EADaily.
“A number of countries are already present in this zone and are developing their sites. The site is conveniently located near the seaport of Ain Sokhna, as well as regarding railways and highways… We believe that the Russian industrial zone will become a convenient entry point for our business both to Egypt itself and to the African continent,” he stated.
The Russian Deputy Prime Minister was accompanied by business representatives and entrepreneurs interested in operating within the zone.
He explained that the Egyptians would present the advantages of their economic zone, including working conditions, infrastructure readiness, and benefits available to residents.
“The Egyptians will talk about the advantages of their economic zone… There will be an acquaintance with the zone itself, working conditions, benefits for residents of the zone, the readiness of the infrastructure, and businesses will build their plans for this.
Therefore, at this stage, it is very important that businesses go there, take a look, evaluate their capabilities, and measure them with their own investment plans,” Overchuk added.
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Moscow has also selected a company to manage the Russian Industrial Zone. “For our part, we have generally decided on the operator of the Russian industrial zone from our side.
This is a group with extensive experience in creating an industrial zone in Russia and is able to work on attracting residents,” Overchuk confirmed. He further noted, according to Sputnik, that the visit would enable a joint assessment of the Egyptian zone’s potential.
Egypt’s offerings to businesses within the zone are expected to include favorable working conditions, solid infrastructure, and investment incentives. The project adds to recent developments highlighting the strengthening relationship between Moscow and Cairo.
In June, Russia confirmed plans to open a new consulate in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, following an order from Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. That same month, Russia achieved a world record in grain exports, shipping over 10 million tons of wheat to Egypt in 2024.
“Russia is the largest exporter of wheat to Egypt and delivered more than ten million tons there last year. This is an unprecedented figure because no other country in the world has purchased grain in such volumes, and Russia has not sold this much wheat to any other country,” Russian Ambassador to Cairo Georgy Borisenko said.
In August, Russia formally recognized Egypt as its main African trade and economic partner. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, bilateral trade exceeded $9 billion in 2024, underscoring Egypt’s pivotal role in Moscow’s strategy for deeper engagement on the African continent.
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Image Credit: African Business
