MINSK, 9 March (BelTA) - Belarus expects a multiple increase in trade with the African nations of Togo and Ghana in a number of areas, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxim Ryzhenkov told the media after his report to Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko on the results of his visits to African countries, BelTA has learned.
The foreign minister emphasized that the Belarusian leader pays close attention to developing cooperation with Africa and believes that Belarus should have entered the region long ago.
“I wouldn't say we are only taking the first steps [in Africa]. But in some countries we are indeed taking the first steps. From this perspective, the visits to Ghana and Togo were the first in the history of diplomatic relations at the level of foreign minister,” he said.
Until now, the legal framework of cooperation with these countries was virtually nonexistent. There were no significant contracts before, and trade was sporadic. “Today we can say that we have identified certain sectors, major areas of work with these states,” Maxim Ryzhenkov stated.
“In cooperation with Togo, Belarus is particularly interested in the country's logistical capabilities. There is a deep-sea port, one of the most powerful in West Africa handling about 30 million tonnes of cargo annually in both areas. It serves as a key link, a kind of gateway for states from the Central Africa region to access external markets. “For us, it is interesting primarily as a transport and logistics hub, including for our trade with Central Africa,” the foreign minister said.
Furthermore, Togo is interested in supplies of Belarusian-made agricultural machinery, which has long been well known there. “During the visit, a decision was made to finance the supply of about 4,500 units of Belarusian machinery to Togo, including tractors, mounted implements, and various other equipment,” the minister explained.
Supplies of food products, meat and dairy, from Belarus will also be ramped up. Relevant veterinary certificates have been signed for this purpose. “We have conducted an initial review to determine which Belarusian suppliers could meet this demand and the projected volumes,” Maxim Ryzhenkov noted.
According to him, the parties reviewed the cooperation in education, training of specialists across a wide range of fields from medicine to the engineering and technical sector.
“The visit to Ghana followed virtually the same track. An agreement was reached there, financing was secured, and an order has already been placed for the production in Belarus of approximately 3,000 units of machinery, of practically the same nomenclature as for Togo,” the minister continued.
‘Concrete agreements were reached to increase supplies of powdered milk and meat. Until now, supplies of these product groups were insignificant (amounting to about $200,000-300,000). We expect that after the visit, supplies will be increased multiple times,” he added.
There are also plans to expand cooperation in education. About 80 students from this country are currently studying in Belarus, and according to the minister, Ghana is interested in multiplying that number, particularly in medical and agricultural specialties. “In general, they greatly value our scientific approach to developing agrotechnical processes in their country,” Maxim Ryzhenkov said.
“As a significant step toward building up the relations, we have received an official response from the Ghanaian president regarding his readiness to visit Belarus. Specific dates have been set. It will be in June [2026],” the minister informed.
The foreign minister emphasized that the Belarusian leader pays close attention to developing cooperation with Africa and believes that Belarus should have entered the region long ago.
“I wouldn't say we are only taking the first steps [in Africa]. But in some countries we are indeed taking the first steps. From this perspective, the visits to Ghana and Togo were the first in the history of diplomatic relations at the level of foreign minister,” he said.
Until now, the legal framework of cooperation with these countries was virtually nonexistent. There were no significant contracts before, and trade was sporadic. “Today we can say that we have identified certain sectors, major areas of work with these states,” Maxim Ryzhenkov stated.
“In cooperation with Togo, Belarus is particularly interested in the country's logistical capabilities. There is a deep-sea port, one of the most powerful in West Africa handling about 30 million tonnes of cargo annually in both areas. It serves as a key link, a kind of gateway for states from the Central Africa region to access external markets. “For us, it is interesting primarily as a transport and logistics hub, including for our trade with Central Africa,” the foreign minister said.
Furthermore, Togo is interested in supplies of Belarusian-made agricultural machinery, which has long been well known there. “During the visit, a decision was made to finance the supply of about 4,500 units of Belarusian machinery to Togo, including tractors, mounted implements, and various other equipment,” the minister explained.
Supplies of food products, meat and dairy, from Belarus will also be ramped up. Relevant veterinary certificates have been signed for this purpose. “We have conducted an initial review to determine which Belarusian suppliers could meet this demand and the projected volumes,” Maxim Ryzhenkov noted.
According to him, the parties reviewed the cooperation in education, training of specialists across a wide range of fields from medicine to the engineering and technical sector.
“The visit to Ghana followed virtually the same track. An agreement was reached there, financing was secured, and an order has already been placed for the production in Belarus of approximately 3,000 units of machinery, of practically the same nomenclature as for Togo,” the minister continued.
‘Concrete agreements were reached to increase supplies of powdered milk and meat. Until now, supplies of these product groups were insignificant (amounting to about $200,000-300,000). We expect that after the visit, supplies will be increased multiple times,” he added.
There are also plans to expand cooperation in education. About 80 students from this country are currently studying in Belarus, and according to the minister, Ghana is interested in multiplying that number, particularly in medical and agricultural specialties. “In general, they greatly value our scientific approach to developing agrotechnical processes in their country,” Maxim Ryzhenkov said.
“As a significant step toward building up the relations, we have received an official response from the Ghanaian president regarding his readiness to visit Belarus. Specific dates have been set. It will be in June [2026],” the minister informed.
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