Tunisia Navigates Russia’s Investment Overtures Amidst “Eastward Turn”
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Tunisia Navigates Russia's Investment Overtures Amidst "Eastward Turn"
- Tunisia's trade with Russia reached approximately $3.2 billion in 2025, largely driven by Russian exports of food products and Tunisian exports of olive oil, seafood, and dates.
- President Kaïs Saïed's administration has shown an "eastward turn" in its foreign policy, engaging more overtly with countries like China and Iran, alongside Russia.
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Tunisia is currently experiencing a push from Russia to increase economic and commercial activities, though President Kaïs Saïed has maintained a cautious stance. This comes as Tunisia, under Saïed’s leadership, has demonstrated a broader “eastward turn” in its foreign policy, engaging more with nations such as China and Iran.
Trade between Tunisia and Russia has seen significant growth, reaching an estimated $3.2 billion in 2025. This trade primarily involves Russia supplying wheat, barley, sunflower oil, meat, and powdered milk, while Tunisia exports olive oil, seafood, and dates. Tourism has also become a strengthening tie, with demand for summer holidays in Tunisia tripling in 2025 compared to the previous year.
In an effort to bolster economic ties, Russia is reportedly shifting its focus to CONECT (Confédération des Entreprises Citoyennes de Tunisie), a rival to Tunisia’s long-established employers’ organization, UTICA, which is currently facing internal challenges. The Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) has initiated discussions with CONECT to revitalize business cooperation. Previously, attempts to reactivate the Russian-Tunisian Business Council with UTICA in 2016 and 2024 met with limited success.
The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which includes Russia, is also preparing to approve talks on a new free trade agreement with Tunisia, signaling a broader strategy to expand economic influence across Africa. Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov confirmed in May 2026 that decisions were expected on starting these talks. This strategic move positions Tunisia at the center of a growing geopolitical and economic competition for influence in the region. Tunisia has also resumed sourcing Russian petroleum products in recent months.