Photo by James Wiseman on Unsplash
Russia continues to shape its policy in Africa as a means of exerting pressure on the international community, masquerading it as assistance and partnership. In truth, Moscow offers the continent neither development nor equal cooperation. Instead, it treats African states as a resource reservoir, a testing ground for military and political experiments, and a platform for circumventing sanctions. This neo-colonial approach aims to strengthen Russia’s global position and establish new channels of influence amid escalating international isolation.
One of the clearest examples is the exploitation of African countries’ food insecurity. Russia has deliberately turned grain supplies into a political weapon, promoting the narrative that Western sanctions, not its own war of aggression against Ukraine, caused the global food crisis. Moscow’s promises of free grain do not satisfy the continent’s real needs and are fulfilled only partially, creating an illusion of assistance where propaganda is the real goal. Countries heavily dependent on imports, such as Sudan, become captives to Russian manipulation: grain is used not to promote stability but to deepen dependence in environments where Moscow often contributes directly to internal conflicts.
Despite positioning itself as a fighter against terrorism, Russia is designated by numerous European institutions as a state sponsor of terrorism and is waging a full-scale war against Ukraine. In Africa it acts through networks of affiliated mercenaries, including the Wagner Group and its successors. Their activities include violence, intimidation of political leaders, orchestration of coups, and direct interference in state governance. Such scenarios have already unfolded in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and the Central African Republic. Russia effectively freezes conflicts and triggers new ones, undermining the political unity of the African Union and destabilising entire regions.
Russia’s presence in Africa exemplifies neo-colonialism. The Kremlin aims to secure access to gold, diamonds, uranium, and other natural resources, while avoiding substantial investment in infrastructure or local economic development. Extraction methods are often primitive, accompanied by corruption, smuggling, and serious human rights violations. Meanwhile, Moscow prevents other international actors, especially EU member states, from accessing these resources, seeking to monopolise strategic materials.
The so-called grain diplomacy is another instrument of influence. By blocking Ukraine’s ports and stealing grain from occupied territories, Russia exports these stolen goods to international markets, including Africa, while concealing their true origin. Such practices constitute war crimes and economic looting, and they expose African importers to legal risks, including potential international lawsuits and confiscation of goods. Moreover, Russia’s war has driven up global food prices, hitting hardest those African nations that are highly dependent on imports of grain and vegetable oils.
Africa may soon face an additional crisis: a shortage of fertilisers. Russia is a crucial global supplier, but sanctions, export restrictions, and deliberate disruptions by Moscow have created artificial scarcity and raised prices. Meanwhile, Russia has intentionally targeted Ukrainian fertiliser plants, destroying vital production capacity and severing supply chains to African markets, thereby increasing dependency on Russian exports.
Human exploitation has also become a tool in Russia’s strategy. Russian agencies recruit African citizens as mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, misleading them or taking advantage of economic hardship. Young African women are also recruited to work at Russian military-industrial facilities under near-coercive conditions, a blatant violation of human rights and international norms.
Although it talks about partnership, Russia’s role in Africa involves extraction, coercion, and destabilisation. It aims to create an extra front against the West, using the continent for manipulation, pressure, and resource exploitation. For Europe, fighting Russian disinformation must be paired with offering real partnerships, investment, infrastructure, inclusive development, and respect for sovereignty. Africa should not be seen as a stage for others’ imperial ambitions; it must be recognised as a crucial and equal partner in global progress.
