NIAS Africa Studies

CWA # 1445
NIAS Africa Studies
Russia’s increasing footprints in Africa

Anu Maria Joseph
14 August 2024
Photo Source: TASS Host Photo Agency via AFP

On 3-8 June, Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov visited Guinea, the Republic of Congo and Chad. The major focus of the visit was military partnership and energy investments. Russia-Africa engagements have strengthened since the War in Ukraine. There were frequent visits from Russia and to Russia. Russia’s relations with the continent appear to have taken a new turn with increasing and expanding political, military and economic footprints. The growing footprints have changed the narratives of Russia in Africa in 2024.

Russia’s footprints in Africa
1. Military ties. Russia has been militarily supporting several African countries through its PMCs. It has military cooperation agreements with 43 African countries. Russian mercenaries first appeared in the Central African Republic in 2017. Around 1000 Russian PMC troops have been fighting the rebels in the country. In Libya, around 300 Wagner troops have been fighting alongside Khalifa Haftar in the civil war since 2018. In Sudan, the Wagner Group allegedly supported the Omar al Bashir to suppress the 2019 revolution. Initially, there were reports of the Group supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Sudanese civil war. Following the French withdrawal, the Wagner Group expanded its footprints in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, fighting Islamist insurgency. Despite the death of Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, the group has continued its activities with the support of the Russian government. Besides, Russia has been supplying weapons to Angola, Mali, Ethiopia, Sudan, Algeria, Nigeria, Niger, Libya, Rwanda and Burkina Faso.

2. Political ties. Russia hosted the second Russia-Africa Summit on 27 July 2023. 49 African countries participated in the summit. It emphasised the principles of “sovereign equality of States, non-interference in their internal affairs, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the right of all peoples to self-determination.” Besides, Lavrov and the Russian delegation's visits have increased in the past year. Lavrov visited Guinea, the Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, Chad, Kenya, Sudan, Mali, Mauritania, South Africa, Eritrea, Angola, and Eswatini in a year. Visits by the Russian delegation to African countries including Mali, and Burkina Faso have become frequent. Besides, several African heads, ministers and delegations have been visiting Russia; Burkina Faso’s defence minister in November 2023, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in July 2023, Chad’s military head in January 2024, Sudanese delegation in June 2024, and the Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso in June 2024. In December 2023, Russia reopened its embassy in Burkina Faso after 30 years. Russia has also been providing aid and expanding its investments in Africa’s health and education sectors.

3. Trade and energy. Africa’s imports from Russia account for less than one per cent. Exports from Africa to Russia are even smaller. The country has a major presence in Africa’s mining and energy sector apart from oil and gas. Russia’s mining investments in Africa include gold from Sudan, cobalt and coltan from the Democratic Republic of Congo, platinum and diamonds from Zimbabwe, nickel and manganese from South Africa, Uranium from Namibia, and gold and diamond from the Central African Republic. Egypt and Nigeria have signed a nuclear cooperation agreement and preliminary plans to build nuclear plants. South Africa’s Koeberg Nuclear Power Station is the only one in Africa, supported by Russian technology. 

Russia’s growing influence in Africa: Factors and Actors
The following are the factors and actors behind Russia’s growing influence in Africa. 

1. Successful Russia-Africa Summit 2023. In July 2023, Russia successfully hosted the second Russia-Africa summit. 17 heads of state attended the summit. Putin promised 25,000 to 50,000 tonnes of grain to six African countries including Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Mali, Somalia and Zimbabwe, clearing the uncertainties following the suspension of the grain deal. Although Russia’s rejection of Africa’s peace plan in Ukraine brought unfavourable narratives, Putin successfully diverted the focus to the joint declaration to counter neocolonialism. 92 agreements, contracts and memoranda of understanding, worth USD 12.5 billion were signed during the summit. 

2. Ukraine War. Russia has increased seeking African alliances following the onset of the War in Ukraine, a move to gather support in the UN. 17 of the 54 African countries abstained from a UN vote condemning Russia's invasion in 2022. While the EU reduced its reliance on Russian supplies, Russia has been trying to find alternative markets in Africa.

3. Coups and authoritarian shift. Nine military coups occurred in Africa since 2020; two in Mali, Sudan and Burkina Faso and one each in Guinea, Gabon and Niger. Military coups and authoritarian shifts in Africa have always been favourable to Russia. Unlike the West, Russia’s engagements in Africa do not come with the baggage of democratic values. This has encouraged African juntas and populist illiberal leaders to forge Russia’s partnership.

4. West losing the ground. Since 2020, anti-West sentiments have been strengthening in West Africa and beyond. It is attributed to the West’s failure in fighting the Islamist insurgency and its interventionist approach. The West’s approach in Africa was always perceived as paternalistic and neocolonial. Western countries’ lucrative ties with African populist leaders received public scepticism. This led to anti-West protests and pro-Russia narratives across West Africa. While French forces in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso and the US forces in Niger were asked to withdraw, Russia introduced itself as an alternative to fill the vacuum.

5. Russia’s successful narratives and Africa’s positive responses. Russia’s modus operandi has been based on equal partnership, and a non-interventionist approach, placing it as the right alternative to the neocolonial West. Its narrative as a security provider without involvement in internal affairs is a partner in the best interest of African leaders. Pro-Russian narratives accompanied the anti-West sentiments simultaneously. Russia has gained popular support across Africa. Financial Times quoted a Malian media representative: “Down to the last peasant in the last village, if you ask them who’s working in the best interests of Africans, they’ll say Russia.” 

Major Issues
The following are the major issues of Russia’s increasing engagements in Africa.

1. Human rights allegations. Several human rights groups have accused the Russian mercenaries of carrying out human rights atrocities in West African countries. In 2023, Human Rights Watch found out that the Wagner Group executed nearly 300 people in Mali under suspicion of involvement with jihadists. In the Central African Republic, the UN accused the Wagner forces and instructors, fighting the rebels alongside the government forces since 2017, of more than 500 incidents of human rights violations including extrajudicial killings, torture and sexual violence. 

2. Allegations of Russian propaganda. Many Western countries accuse Russia of using tactics of disinformation propaganda, and deception to bring African countries under Russian influence. They accuse Russia of infiltrating pro-Russian narratives equating it with anti-neocolonialism. Financial Times quoted a report by Meta which found around 30 networks in Africa, the majority pushing pro-Russia narratives. 

3. Democratic degradation. While Russia placed itself as an alternative to the West, African countries are more incentivised to move away from the West. Series of coups, increasing authoritarian governments and illiberal democracies were outcomes that followed. It has undermined Africa’s democratic aspirations. 

4. Conflict multiplier. The involvement of Russian paramilitaries has worsened several civil conflicts in African countries. During the Libyan civil war, the Wagner Group supported Khalifa Hafter to secure access to oil fields. The group was also allegedly supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Sudanese civil war. 

Conclusion
Russia’s influence in Africa has strengthened in the past two years. It has secured African allies through the narratives of anti-neocolonialism and equal partnership. Russia is committed to showcasing its power by being Africa’s security provider. Africa has become the geopolitical flashpoint for Russia in its competition against the West. Additionally, it serves Russia’s economic interests in securing markets and minerals. With the African countries, Russia has been modelling a multipolar world far off from Western influence. However, Russian footprints in Africa accompany several uncertainties. The Western forces were able to contain the Islamist insurgency in West Africa for a long time. Following the withdrawal of the Western forces, the frequency of attacks has increased and the Tuareg rebellion is said to have re-emerged in the region. According to Relief Web Terrorism Index 2023, the number of attacks has increased with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger topping the ranking. Although Russian forces have replaced the Western forces, their capacity to address the insurgency in the region is uncertain. Besides, Russia’s engagements in Africa come at the cost of human rights and democracy. While Russia successfully expands its footprints in Africa, apparent objectives and unclear methodologies are Africa’s concerns.  

About the author
Ana Maria Joseph is a Research Associate at NIAS.


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Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech and the Civil Rights Movement in the US
The World This Week
August 2025 | CWA # 1790

GP Team

The World This Week#323-324
The Trump-Putin meeting & the US-China tariff extension
TWTW note
August 2025 | CWA # 1780

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

Trump tariffs:
Weaponization of access to the US economy
The World This Week
August 2025 | CWA # 1779

GP Team

The World This Week#322
US tariffs on India, Brazil and Canada & the EU-US trade deal
This Week in History
August 2025 | CWA # 1778

Lekshmi MK

28 July 1914
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, starting the First World War
Global Politics Explainer
July 2025 | CWA # 1770

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

Pakistan-Afghanistan relations:
Why the focus on terrorism, refugees, and Uzbekistan as the third partner?
The World This Week
July 2025 | CWA # 1769

GP Team

The World This Week#321
Indian PM Modi's visit to the Maldives I Elections to the Upper House in Japan
Global Politics Explainer
July 2025 | CWA # 1762

Lekshmi MK

Ocean Darkening: 
What is the phenomenon? What are its effects? And who are more vulnerable?
Global Politics Explainer
July 2025 | CWA # 1749

R Preetha

Africa as the Hunger Epicenter
Of the 13 Global Hunger Hotspots, 8 are in Africa: Five reasons why
The World This Week
July 2025 | CWA # 1748

GP Team

The World This Week #318
PM Modi’s Visit to Trinidad and Tobago & Ghana, One big beautiful bill, and Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting
Global Politics Explainer
July 2025 | CWA # 1744

Chittrothu Vaihali

EU-Canada Summit 2025
What is security and defence partnership all about?
Conflict Weekly
July 2025 | CWA # 1742

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly # 287-88
The 12 Day War and the Congo-Rwanda Peace Deal
Global Politics Explainer
July 2025 | CWA # 1738

Fleur Elizabeth Philip

Thailand and Cambodia
What was the phone call between PM Shinawatra and President of Senate Hun Sen? What is the border dispute between the two? Why has this become an issue?
TWTW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1735

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025:
Trump making Europe great again
The World This Week
June 2025 | CWA # 1734

GP Team

The World This Week #317
NATO Summit 2025 and Russia-Mali bilateral agreements
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1733

Ananya Dinesh

China and the Pacific Islands 
What was the recent China-PIC joint statement about? What it says, and what it means?
TWTW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1728

M Kejia

G7 Summit 2025:
The Focus on the Middle East and Trade negotiations
The World This Week
June 2025 | CWA # 1726

GP Team

The World This Week #316
China-Central Asia Summit in Kazakhstan, and the G7 Summit in Canada
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1725

Brighty Ann Sarah, R Preetha, Santhiya M, Aparna A Nair & M Kejia

Operation Midnight Hammer: US bombs three nuclear sites in Iran
What were the three Iranian nuclear sites that were targeted? What are the B2 Bombers and Bunker Buster Bombs? What do these attacks mean? What Next?
Conflict Weekly
June 2025 | CWA # 1724

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly #286
The Spiralling Israel-Iran Crisis, and the Dangerous Hunger Hotspots
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1721

Rizwana Banu S and Santhiya M

Who are the Afrikaners?
Why is Trump interested in the Afrikaner question in South Africa?
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1720

Lekshmi MK

New WMO Report on Arctic Warming
What are the social, economic and environmental implications of Arctic warming
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1719

J Yamini  

China’s EV Surge
What contributes to the rise of BYD
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1717

J Yamini

Gender Violence in Pakistan:
What are the larger issues in the Noor Mukadam case?
TWTW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1715

Femy Francis

The US-China:
On Tariffs, Rare Earths and Visas
The World This Week
June 2025 | CWA # 1713

GP Team

The World This Week #315
The UN Ocean Conference in France and the US-China Meeting in London
CW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1712

R Preetha

The World This Week
June 2025 | CWA # 1705

GP Team

The World This Week #314
Elections in South Korea and Poland I China and the Pacific Island Countries I Bangladesh Election Announcement 2026
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1703

M Kejia 

Sagarmatha Sambaad in Nepal
Kathmandu’s Global Agenda for the Himalayas
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1700

R Preetha

Ethiopia bans the TPLF
What does the TPLF ban mean for the Pretoria agreement? What next for Ethiopia?
TWTW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1694

Aashish Ganeshan

The US:
Harvard vs Trump Administration
The World This Week
June 2025 | CWA # 1691

GP Team

The World This Week #313
China-ASEAN-GCC Summit I President Macron's visit to South East Asia I Trump Vs Harvard
The World This Week
May 2025 | CWA # 1690

GP Team

The World This Week #312
Elections in Romania, Portugal & Poland I UK-EU Summit
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1689

Padmashree Anandhan

Ukraine
Continuing Russia’s Aerial Attacks, despite exchange of prisoners
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1688

Ayan Datta

Gaza
The Humanitarian Crisis and Israel’s Renewed Offensive
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1685

Aparna A Nair

UK-EU Summit:
First step towards a reset
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1683

Aashish Ganeshan

Elections in Portugal:
The Rise of Chega Party and the Search for Political Stability
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1679

Aashish Ganeshan

US in the Middle Easr
Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1678

Gauri Gupta

China in Latin America
China-CELAC forum: Strengthening ties with Latin America and Caribbean
The World This Week
May 2025 | CWA # 1677

GP Team

The World This Week #310-311
China in Latin America and the Carribbean I Trump's Middle East Visit I Denmark as the new Arctic Chair
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1675

Lekshmi MK

Turkey:
PKK disbands after 40 years of armed insurgency
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1673

Padmashree Anandhan

Ukraine:
The Discussion in Turkiye and the Elusive Ceasefire
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1671

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

US, Ukraine and Russia:
Air attacks amidst a Minerals deal and Ceasefire Proposals
Global Politics Early Bird
May 2025 | CWA # 1670

Fleur Elizabeth Philip

Singapore Elections in 2025:
People’s Action Party (PAP) Wins, Again
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1667

R Preetha and Brighty Ann Sarah

East Asia:
Tough Tariff Negotiations with the US
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1666

Padmashree Anandhan

The US-Ukraine
The mineral deal with the US
Conflict Weekly
May 2025 | CWA # 1665
Conflict Weekly # 280-81
India-Pakistan De-escalation I Ukraine Discussion in Istanbul I The Battle over Port Sudan I Disbanding of PKK in Turkiye I France-Algeria Diplomatic Tensions
Global Politics Early Bird
May 2025 | CWA # 1663

R Preetha

Canada Elections 2025:
What do the results convey? What next for Mark Carney?
Conflict Weekly 250th Issue
October 2024 | CWA # 1480

IPRI Team

This Week in History
July 2024 | CWA # 1413

Ramya B

Global Politics Early Bird
May 2024 | CWA # 1336

Femy Francis

This Week in History
April 2024 | CWA # 1275

Ramya B

NIAS Global Politics Database
March 2024 | CWA # 1251

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
This Week in History
March 2024 | CWA # 1246

Sivasubramanian K

NIAS Global Politics Database
February 2024 | CWA # 1226

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
The World This Week
November 2023 | CWA # 1148

GP Team

The War in Ukraine
October 2023 | CWA # 1091

Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri

Issues for Europe
NIAS Pakistan Weekly
October 2023 | CWA # 1087

PR Team

The World This Week
October 2023 | CWA # 1083

GP Team

Conflict Weekly
August 2023 | CWA # 1049

IPRI Team

IPRI Quarterly Forecasts I Triggers, Trends, and Trajectories
July 2023 | CWA # 1012

Bibhu Prasad Routray

Myanmar continues to burn
The World This Week
July 2023 | CWA # 1009

GP Team

2022: The World This Year
December 2022 | CWA # 879

Padmashree Anandhan

The Ukraine War
2022: The World This Year
December 2022 | CWA # 872

Sapna Elsa Abraham

Europe: Heatwaves, Wildfires, Droughts, and Ice Melt in Alps
November 2022 | CWA # 838

Rishma Banerjee

Tracing Europe's droughts
NIAS Africa Weekly
March 2022 | CWA # 705

NIAS Africa Team

In Focus: Libya
The World This Week: 150th Issue
December 2021 | CWA # 630

GP Team

Europe in 2021
Pakistan Reader
October 2021 | CWA # 588

Abigail Miriam Fernandez

TLP is back again
NIAS Fortnightly on Science, Technology & International Relations
August 2021 | CWA # 528

STIR Team

Space Tourism
GLOBAL PROTEST MOVEMENTS
September 2020 | CWA # 337

Anju Annie Mammen

The FATF Meeting, February 2020
February 2020 | CWA # 235

Lakshmi V Menon

Science, Technology and International Relations
September 2019 | CWA # 162

Lakshman Chakravarthy N

5G: A Primer
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 71

Mahesh Bhatta

Nepal
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 70

Nasima Khatoon

The Maldives
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 69

Harini Madhusudan

India
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 68

Sourina Bej

Bangladesh
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 67

Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer

Afghanistan
United States
July 2018 | CWA # 47

Rahul Arockiaraj

East Asia
June 2018 | CWA # 26

Siddhatti Mehta