Russia has announced plans to significantly deepen its economic and defense partnerships across Africa, a move aimed at expanding its influence as Western powers scale back their presence in the region.
Speaking to reporters, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Moscow is committed to enhancing cooperation with African nations in both investment and security. “Russia’s presence in Africa is steadily growing,” Peskov said, underscoring Moscow’s long-term vision to build robust bilateral ties, especially in regions impacted by political instability.
The latest announcement comes at a time when several West African nations have experienced military coups and rising discontent with former colonial powers such as France and strategic partners like the United States. In contrast, Russia has cultivated strong ties with military-led governments in countries such as Mali, the Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea.
Russia’s renewed interest in the continent is also evidenced by the transition of operations from the Wagner paramilitary group to the newly established Africa Corps, a Russian Defense Ministry-linked force reportedly composed largely of former Wagner fighters. While Wagner forces are withdrawing from Mali, Africa Corps troops are expected to remain, shifting their focus to training, logistics, and security services rather than direct combat.
Experts suggest that the Kremlin’s approach represents a strategic pivot — one that prioritizes low-visibility operations and long-term partnerships over the aggressive footprint left by Wagner. “Africa Corps plays more of an advisory and support role, helping governments secure infrastructure and manage security threats,” said Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel programme at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
The move is viewed by analysts as a calculated attempt by Russia to cement its influence in post-colonial African states seeking alternatives to Western-led security arrangements. With France having withdrawn troops from several countries, and U.S. engagement more selective, Moscow appears poised to fill the vacuum.
In Mali, where the military government has ruled since the 2020 and 2021 coups, authorities have distanced themselves from Western partners and embraced Russian support. Although Malian officials have never officially acknowledged Wagner’s presence, they have consistently referred to working with “Russian instructors.”
According to reports, Africa Corps was established following the disbandment of Wagner’s top leadership, who perished in a 2023 plane crash after leading a failed rebellion against Russia’s military command. The new unit is said to operate under direct oversight of the Russian military, ensuring greater accountability and tighter integration into official defense diplomacy.
As Russia continues to assert itself on the continent, concerns have grown among Western policymakers regarding the implications of Moscow’s expanding footprint — particularly in fragile states where governance remains volatile. However, for many African governments, Russian involvement is seen as an opportunity to diversify partnerships and access military and technical resources previously dominated by Western powers.
With economic and military cooperation at the center of Russia’s Africa strategy, observers say the coming months will be critical in determining whether Moscow can maintain its growing influence amid competition, local resistance, and evolving geopolitical dynamics.