Sudan offers Russia Red Sea investment, mining
Sudan's military leader proposed a free economic zone and opportunities in gold, copper, and other minerals to Russian investors.
Sudan's military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan proposed establishing a free economic zone on the Red Sea coast and offered Russian investors opportunities in gold, copper, and other mineral resources during talks with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday.
Burhan also proposed Russian participation in developing Sudan’s railway infrastructure, including a planned extension from Port Sudan towards Chad, and said the economic zone could host Russian fuel and wheat storage facilities.
Putin described Sudan as an important Russian partner in Africa, stating that bilateral trade had more than doubled in 2025 and increased by 25% between January and August 2026, making Sudan one of Russia’s 10 largest trading partners on the continent.
Why it mattersSudanese citizens and the nation's economy are directly affected by the proposed economic zone and investment in mineral resources.