A Sudanese oil firm has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Russian companies to strengthen cooperation in petroleum services, signaling deepening ties between Khartoum and Moscow ahead of a major bilateral summit.
The agreement, signed Saturday, brings together Sudan’s Bashayer Pipeline Company (BAPCO), Russia’s Al-Rossi Global Services, and the state-owned Zarubezhneft. The deal comes just days before the upcoming Sudan-Russia Joint Ministerial Committee meeting, which is expected to cover a wide range of cooperation, particularly in the extractive industries.
Sudan’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum confirmed the MoU signing, which took place in the presence of Russian Embassy officials and Zarubezhneft representatives. The ministry noted that the talks mark another step toward enhanced Russian engagement in Sudan’s oil and gas sector.
Sudan is seeking to boost foreign investment in its energy and mining sectors, particularly from Russia, despite the ongoing challenges of instability and conflict. Russian business delegations have made repeated visits to Sudan in recent years, reflecting continued interest in the country’s resource potential.
In addition to the MoU, the ministry reported that Acting Undersecretary Mohamed Awad Al-Khair signed meeting minutes with Russian officials addressing technical and administrative matters, paving the way for future agreements in energy collaboration.
The Russian delegation also held discussions with officials from the state-owned Sudapet company, exploring opportunities in oil exploration, production, and services in partnership with Sudanese firms.
The upcoming ministerial committee meeting, co-chaired by Sudan’s Minister of Minerals and Russia’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, is expected to formalize multiple areas of cooperation spanning energy, mining, and transportation.