In a bold move to expand its economic footprint across Africa, Russia is launching a direct shipping line between its Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial capital. The route marks a major leap in Moscow’s bid to strengthen trade with West Africa.

The new maritime corridor, set to commence operations in mid-June, will be operated by A7 Holding, a company founded by Andrey Severilov, former co-owner of Russian shipping giant FESCO. Two container vessels, each capable of carrying 700 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), will initially ply the route.

“With the assistance of the Russian trade mission in Nigeria, we are implementing a project to establish a direct shipping line,” Severilov announced, emphasizing plans to extend the route to Senegal in the near future.

Russia’s trade representative in Nigeria, Maxim Petrov, confirmed the development, highlighting the route’s potential to facilitate the export of Russian agricultural products and machinery not only to Nigeria but also to landlocked countries like Mali. Petrov revealed that Malian businesses have shown strong interest in Russian goods and that the corridor will support the commercial import of Malian cotton of which the country produces over 650,000 tons annually.

“A significant increase in trade turnover with Mali is also possible due to the start of commercial deliveries of Malian cotton to Russia; the total harvest of the crop in Mali exceeds 650 thousand tons per year,” Petrov told TASS, noting growing interest in Russian-made transport and equipment.

The development follows a recent surge in Russia-Africa trade. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, wheat exports to the continent hit record highs, with Nigeria receiving 210,000 tons a fourfold increase.

Russia has also launched maritime trade routes to other African ports, including a 2023 line connecting Novorossiysk to Mombasa, Kenya, and a separate route linking Egypt’s El Dekheila port.

Moscow’s pivot to Africa is becoming more strategic, as Russian companies eye opportunities in agriculture, construction, and raw materials. The Lagos route is expected to carry a diverse range of exports such as fertilizers, metals, plastics, and wood, while enabling the import of African commodities like tea, coffee, and nuts.

This new shipping corridor not only enhances connectivity between Russia and West Africa but also signals a broader shift in global trade dynamics one where Africa is no longer a peripheral market, but a central player in Moscow’s international trade ambitions.