Russia’s role in Africa has grown in recent years—not necessarily in economic terms, but in strategic sectors like arms trade, mining, and energy, including nuclear cooperation. Despite having a smaller economic footprint than the West or China, Russia’s influence across Africa has been reinforced significantly through military cooperation and arms exports.
According to the Grey Report, many African nations have become notable buyers of Russian weaponry. In some cases, these arms deals are accompanied by military cooperation agreements, and occasionally even the deployment of Russian paramilitary forces like Wagner. This military presence has expanded Russia’s political and strategic leverage in the region.
Even though Russia’s arms exports declined sharply—reportedly dropping by half between 2019 and 2023 due to the ongoing war in Ukraine—its military ties with several African countries remain substantial. These relationships are part of a broader geopolitical strategy, enabling Russia to maintain a presence on the continent without traditional economic dominance.
Here are the Top 10 African Countries that have imported the most weapons from Russia between 2000 and 2021, based on data from the Grey Report:
| Rank | Country | Volume of Arms Imports from Russia (2000–2021) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Algeria | 12,333 |
| 2 | Egypt | 4,823 |
| 3 | Sudan | 989 |
| 4 | Angola | 652 |
| 5 | Uganda | 642 |
| 6 | Ethiopia | 615 |
| 7 | Nigeria | 314 |
| 8 | Morocco | 156 |
| 9 | Eritrea | 130 |
| 10 | Libya | 90 |
Key Observations:
- Algeria leads by a wide margin, having imported more than 12,000 units of arms, reflecting a deep and longstanding military relationship with Moscow.
- Egypt, another key player in the region, comes second, while countries like Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia also feature prominently on the list.
- Interestingly, smaller nations such as Eritrea and Libya round out the top 10, suggesting that Russian arms deals are not limited to just the largest economies or militaries in Africa.
This data highlights Russia’s continued commitment to maintaining its military relevance on the African continent, even in the face of global sanctions and internal pressures from its prolonged conflict with Ukraine.
As African nations seek defense partnerships amid growing insecurity and shifting global alliances, Russia remains a key supplier and strategic player.
