Morocco Leads Arab Countries in Diversifying Russian Energy Imports in February 2026
Morocco topped the list of Arab nations in diversifying its import sources of Russian energy during February 2026, while Moscow recorded a 7% increase in revenues from oil, gas, and coal exports on a monthly basis, amounting to nearly €492 million daily, according to recent data.
The Energy platform highlighted that Rabat distinguished itself among eight Arab nations that continued importing Russian energy since the outbreak of the Ukraine war. It was the only Arab country that combined the import of three main categories, including petroleum products, coal, and gas, reflecting a strategic trend to secure the needs of the national market.
The same data revealed that Morocco maintained its presence on the list of pipeline gas importers for the twenty-third consecutive month, despite the absence of a direct connection to Russia. The process involves importing liquefied natural gas and converting it back into a gaseous state at Spanish facilities before pumping it to the kingdom through the Maghreb-Europe pipeline.
Regionally, the list of importing Arab countries included the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, and Libya, with variations in the types of imports. Several countries appeared in the list of refined petroleum products, while specific nations specialized in importing crude oil or liquefied gas.
The revival in Russian energy exports is attributed to geopolitical developments, including a temporary license issued by Donald Trump’s administration in March 2026 that allows for the purchase of Russian oil transported by ships, contributing to the revenue boost.
Revenues from seaborne oil rose by 14% to reach €173 million daily, driven by an increase in export volumes. Additionally, pipeline oil revenues increased by 9%, bringing total crude revenues to €232 million daily. Regarding gas, liquefied gas revenues rose by 7% despite a slight decline in quantities, whereas coal saw a decrease in revenues.
Despite this temporary improvement, data indicate that total Russian oil revenues in 2025 were at their lowest in four years, affected by intensified international sanctions and price fluctuations.
On a global scale, Asian powers continued to dominate Russian energy imports, with China leading the list, followed by Turkey and India, while the European Union ranked fourth, showing significant reliance on liquefied gas.
Attention is now turned to anticipated shifts in the energy market, as the European Commission seeks to impose new restrictions on Russian gas imports, which might push Moscow to strengthen partnerships with alternative markets, including Arab nations, with Morocco emerging as a key player capable of diversifying its energy sources through flexible logistical channels.
