Trade between Russia and Africa continued to grow in January-July 2024, expanding by 25% compared to the same period in 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with his Mauritanian counterpart Mohamed Ould Ghazouani on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Russia's Kazan.
"Commodities exchange between Russia and Africa grows year in, year out. In 2023, it grew by more than 30%. This year, the dynamics are also positive. In January-July, trade increased by 25% compared to the same period last year," Putin said.
The president of Mauritania noted that his country would spare no effort to strengthen and develop relations with Russia.
"We in Mauritania believe that our relations with Russia are historical relations, strategic relations for us. And we will spare no effort to strengthen and develop them," Ghazouani said.
The Mauritanian president added that Nouakchott would like to see more investment from Russia, including in energy and fisheries.
BRICS is an intergovernmental association created in 2006. On January 1, new members joined the organization. In addition to Russia, Brazil, India, China and South Africa, it now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, according to the website of the Russian 2024 BRICS Chairmanship.