Russia–South Africa Relations: Collaboration in BRICS and the G-20

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the diplomatic and economic relationship between Russia and South Africa within the frameworks of BRICS and the G-20. It argues that while political collaboration is strong and serves Russia's goal of a multipolar world order, economic ties remain significantly underdeveloped and below their potential.

• Russia views collaboration with South Africa as a strategic means to promote a multipolar world order and enhance its influence within global governance bodies such as the G-20, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
• The BRICS forum serves as an intermediate negotiation space where member countries can align their interests before presenting joint positions to the G-20, which increases the likelihood of those positions being approved.
• Despite political alignment, economic cooperation between Russia and South Africa is described as very limited. Russia's exports to South Africa peaked in 2009 at a share of only 0.06% of total Russian exports, and the country lacked a trade mission in South Africa at the time of the study.
• Russia identifies several high-potential areas for economic collaboration with South Africa, including mineral resources, high-technology sectors (such as mobile services and IP-based technologies), and the construction of nuclear power plants, with South Africa planning eight such plants by 2050 at an estimated cost of $50 billion.
• Russia recognizes South Africa's leading economic role in Africa, noting its GDP constitutes 50% of the aggregate GDP of other sub-Saharan African countries, but acknowledges that South Africa's role as the 'voice of Africa' can create regional tensions and limit its ability to represent the needs of less-developed nations.
• There is a strategic interest for Russia to provide a counterbalance to China's dominant economic influence in South Africa, as China is the major trade partner for both countries.

APA

Volchkova, N., & Ryabtseva, M. (2013). Russia–South Africa Relations: Collaboration in BRICS and the G-20. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Occasional-Paper-135.pdf

Chicago

Volchkova, Natalya, and Maria Ryabtseva. Russia–South Africa Relations: Collaboration in BRICS and the G-20. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2013. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Occasional-Paper-135.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Volchkova |first1=Natalya |last2=Ryabtseva |first2=Maria |title=Russia–South Africa Relations: Collaboration in BRICS and the G-20 |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=February 2013 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Occasional-Paper-135.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{volchkova2013russiasouth, author = {Volchkova, Natalya and Ryabtseva, Maria}, title = {{Russia–South Africa Relations: Collaboration in BRICS and the G-20}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2013}, month = feb, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Occasional-Paper-135.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }