Sudan Offers Russia Red Sea Gateway, Gold and Copper Mining Deals – ChimpReports

Sudan’s Sovereignty Council Chairman, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has offered Russia access to investment opportunities in the country’s strategic Red Sea corridor, gold and copper mining sectors, as Khartoum seeks to deepen economic cooperation with Moscow. Al-Burhan made the proposals during bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, outlining opportunities for Russian investment in mineral extraction, fuel storage, grain logistics and regional trade infrastructure. “Sudan can provide Russia with a gateway to the Red Sea,” al-Burhan said, highlighting his country’s strategic location along one of the world’s major maritime trade routes. He said Sudan was prepared to strengthen relations with Moscow amid changing international and domestic circumstances. “Given global and domestic developments, we need more than ever to develop mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries,” he said. “Today’s Sudanese government has the political will and will work hard on cooperation with Russia.” The Sudanese leader proposed establishing Russian grain and petroleum storage facilities in Sudan, positioning the country as a potential distribution hub for commodities destined for other African markets. “Russia could set up grain and fuel storage facilities in Sudan; we have the capacity and the means to do so,” he said. “There is demand for these commodities across the entire African continent, and we have the potential to develop supply chains towards the Chad region.” The discussions come as Sudan seeks foreign investment to rebuild an economy devastated by more than three years of civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced millions and severely damaged Sudan’s infrastructure Al-Burhan said Sudan possessed the land and infrastructure potential to support such projects but required foreign capital to bring them into operation. “We have the land and the means; what we need is investment, and we are very eager to work with Russia in this area,” he said. The proposals also extend to Sudan’s mining industry, particularly gold and copper, with Khartoum indicating that specific mineral deposits have already been identified for potential Russian investment. “We currently have areas we are ready to hand over to Russia for investment,” al-Burhan said. “I am talking about copper and gold mining, and I sincerely assure you that we are ready to cooperate in this area.” He also emphasised Sudan’s sovereignty over its economic decisions, rejecting suggestions that foreign governments could dictate the country’s investment priorities. “No country dictates any agenda to us; everything comes from Sudan, and we are in full control,” he said. Putin speaks out Putin, meanwhile, described Sudan as an “important Russian partner in Africa and the Arab world”, saying bilateral trade more than doubled in 2025 and grew by another 25% between January and August 2026. He said Moscow had prepared a roadmap for cooperation covering digital technology, healthcare, education, logistics and industry. The Russian leader also called for an end to hostilities in Sudan and a political settlement to the conflict.  Sudan’s offer of a Red Sea economic zone is particularly significant given Russia’s longstanding interest in establishing a presence along the strategic waterway, which connects international shipping routes between Europe, Asia and Africa. However, the investment proposals remain subject to further negotiations, and no final agreements on the proposed facilities or mining concessions were announced following the talks.  The meeting formed part of Moscow’s broader diplomatic engagement with African countries during the October 28–29 summit, which brought together representatives from 48 African nations to discuss trade, investment, infrastructure and security cooperation. Tags#ChimpReportsNews featured source