World
Russia’s Real Motives in Africa Causing Some to Worry—Gruzd
By Kester Kenn Klomegah
As preparations are underway for the second Russia-Africa summit planned for 2022, African leaders, politicians, academic researchers and experts have been discussing several aspects of the current state of Russia-Africa relations.
They, most often, compare it with a number of foreign countries notably China, the United States, the European Union, India, France, Turkey, Japan, and South Korea that have held such gatherings in that format with Africa.
Some have convincingly argued that Russia has moved away from its low-key strategy to vigorous relations, as shown by the first symbolic Russia-Africa summit in the Black Sea city of Sochi in October 2019.
Russia and Africa adopted a joint declaration, a comprehensive document that outlines the key objectives and necessary tasks that seek to raise assertively the entirety of relations to a new level.
Long before the summit, at least, during the past decade, several bilateral agreements between Russia and individual African countries were signed. Besides, memoranda of understanding, declaration of interests, pledges and promises dominated official speeches.
On the other side, Russia is simply invisible in economic sectors in Africa, despite boasting of decades-old solid relations with the continent.
Undoubtedly, Africa is opening up new fields of opportunity. The creation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provides a unique and valuable opportunity for businesses to access an integrated African market of over 1.3 billion people with a GDP of over $2.5 trillion. It aspires to connect all the regions of Africa, deepen economic integration and boost intra-African trade and investment.
Despite existing risks, challenges and threats, a number of external countries continue strengthening their economic footholds in Africa and contribute enormously towards the continent’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Russia has to upgrade or scale up its collaborative engagement with Africa. It has to consider seriously launching more public outreach programmes, especially working with civil society to change public perceptions and the private sector to strengthen its partnership with Africa. In order to achieve this, it has to surmount the challenges, take up the courage and work consistently with both private and public sectors and with an effective Action Plan.
In this exclusive interview, Steven Gruzd, Head of the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), discusses a few questions, highlights existing challenges and passionately offers some progressive suggestions regarding Russia-African relations and the fears over Russia’s real motives in Africa.
Steven Gruzd also heads the Russia-Africa Research Programme initiated this year at SAIIA, South Africa’s premier research institute on international issues. It is an independent, non-government think tank, with a long and proud history of providing thought leadership in Africa. Here are the interview excerpts:
What are your appreciations and fears for Russia returning to Africa?
Africa is becoming crowded, with many old and new actors actively involved on the continent. Apart from EU countries, China and the US, we have players such as Iran, Turkey, Israel, the UAE, Japan and others.
So, Russia’s renewed interest in Africa does not happen in isolation. It, of course, seeks to build on Soviet-era ties, and several African leaders today studied in the USSR or the Soviet sphere of influence. Russia has tended to focus on niche areas such as weapons sales, nuclear energy and resource extraction, at a much smaller scale than China.
Many leaders are welcoming the attention of Russia, but some remain wary of Russia’s hidden motives and intentions. Russia’s dealings are not transparent and open compared to China. The shadowy world of private military companies such as Russia’s Wagner Group is causing concern in unstable countries like the CAR, Libya and Mali. So, in fact, there is a kind of mixed picture, sentiments and interpretations are also varied here.
How would you argue that Russia engages fairly in “competition for cooperation” in Africa?
Africa is a busy geopolitical arena, with many players operating. Russia has to compete against them, and distinctively remain focused its efforts. Russia welcomes diplomatic support from African countries, and unlike the West, it does not demand good governance or advocate for human rights reforms.
Russia likes to portray itself as not interfering in local politics or judging African countries, even though there is mounting evidence that it has been involved in meddling in elections in Africa through disinformation, fake news and attempting to exploit fault lines in societies through social media.
Do you think, to some extent, Russia is fighting neo-colonial tendencies, as shown in Guinea, Mali, CAR and Sudan? Does it imply that Russia supports military leaders in Africa?
Russia uses the rhetoric of anti-colonialism in its engagement with Africa, and that it is fighting neo-colonialism from the West, especially in relations with their former colonies. It sees France as a threat to its interests especially in Francophone West Africa, the Maghreb and the Sahel.
Russia has invested resources in developing French-language news media, and engages in anti-French media activity, including through social media. I think Russia has its own economic and political interests in countries like Guinea, Mali, CAR and Sudan, even if it uses the language of fighting neo-colonialism. It explicitly appears that Russia supports several undemocratic African leaders and their regimes.
Some experts have argued that Russia’s diplomacy is full of bilateral agreements, largely not implemented, and gamut of pledges and promises. What are your views about these?
I would largely agree that there is a divide between what has been pledged and promised at high-level meetings and summits, compared to what has actually materialised on the ground. There is more talk than action, and in most cases down the years mere intentions and ideas have been officially presented as initiatives already in progress. It will be interesting to see what has been concretely achieved in reports at the second Russia-Africa summit scheduled for late 2022.
From the above discussions so far, what do you think are Russia’s challenges and setbacks in Africa?
Africa is a crowded playing field. Russia does not have the same resources and approaches as China, France, UK or US, so it has limited impact. The language barrier could be used as an excuse, but Russia has the great possibility to leverage into the Soviet- and Russian-trained diaspora. On the other hand, Russia feels it is unfairly portrayed in Western media, so that is another perception it seeks to change. It can change the perception by supporting public outreach programmes.
Working closely with the academic community, such as the South African Institute of International Affairs and similar ones throughout Africa, is one potential instrument to raise its public image. In places like Mozambique and the CAR, the Wagner Group left after incurring human losses – does Russia have staying power?
As it prepares to hold the second Russia-Africa summit in 2022, what could be the expectations for Africa? What to do ultimately with the first Joint Declaration from Sochi?
As already mentioned, there needs to be a lot of tangible progress on the ground for the second summit to show impact. It is worth reiterating here that African countries will expect more debt relief and solid investment from Russian businesses.
In terms of political support at places like the UN Security Council, there is close interaction between Russia and the African States, but as recent research by SAIIA shows, not as much as assumed. (https://saiia.org.za/research/walking-with-the-bear-russia-and-the-a3-in-the-un-security-council/). The relationship has to however deliver and move from words to deeds.
In conclusion, I would suggest that Russia has to take up both the challenges and unique opportunities and attempt to scale up its influence by working consistently on practical multifaceted sustainable development issues and by maintaining appreciable relations with Africa.
On the other side, African countries likewise have to devise viable strategies for engaging with Russia.
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
Growing impatience over the fragile security situation in the Sahel region and collective anxiety to lift up and strengthen their Confederation of Sahel States (AES), some prefers the Alliance des États du Sahel (translates in English as the Alliance of Sahel States), the three Foreign Ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger embarked on a fresh trip to Moscow.
Meetings, held in early April 2025, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov undoubtedly gave a strong boost to the AES relations, marking the latest new chapter in building sustainable security ties and economic cooperation.
Ahead of the meeting, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the Sahel foreign ministers prioritized perspectives on regulating their political crisis as well as focusing on economic spheres. According to Russia’s MFA, the three African countries’ foreign ministries indicated in a joint statement that the joint visit as the first session of “AES-Russia consultations” which aims at finding appropriate pathways in fighting jihadist insurgencies that has spread across the region south of the Sahara.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger currently run by military governments that have taken power in coups between 2021 an 2022, have formed an alliance known as the Confederation of Sahel States (AES). By creating their own bloc, it exposes Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) weaknesses and its long-term inability and incompetency to deal with regional problems, particularly rising security through mediation.
The French grouping later kicked out French and other Western forces and conveniently turned towards Russia for military support. Their foreign ministers will visit Moscow on April 3 and 4 and hold meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at his invitation, the statement said.
“The Moscow meeting represents an important step in establishing strategic, pragmatic, dynamic and supportive cooperation and partnership relations in areas of common interest between the AES and Russia,” the ministries said.
Basic research and review show that besides instability, these countries are engulfed with various socio-economic problems primarily due to the system of governance and poor policies toward sustainable development. And Russia’s renewed and full-fledged interest is primarily focused on uprooting French domination, and support the development goals of these French-speaking West African countries in the Sahel region.
For fear and concerns about the new rise of terrorism and for the sake of deeper cooperation and integration, the three Sahelian countries have turned to Russia, and as expected Russia has since offered tremendous assistance. As a follow up, the early April meetings in Moscow, several critical issues are on the agenda: military assistance to fight growing terrorism, and efforts to strengthen political dialogue and promote concrete partnerships relating to trade and the economy in the region.
The AES has multitude of obstacles, the main problems emerged after exiting out of ECOWAS, the regional organization consisting 16 West African states. Finance is another hurdle among others. Nevertheless, Russian Foreign Ministry explained in a statement posted on its website, that Russia’s military-technical cooperation with African countries is primarily directed at settling regional conflicts and preventing the spread of terrorist threats and fighting the growing terrorism in the continent.
Russia’s MFA has earlier assured: “we will continue supporting it with the supply of arms and hardware and personnel training, including peacekeepers, as it is very important to help put an end to this evil and other challenges and threats, including drug trafficking and other forms of organized crime.”
With regards to financing AES, the bloc on March 31st introduced 0.5% levy on imported goods to finance their newly formed three-state union, following their withdrawal from ECOWAS. The agreed levy took immediate effect and applies to all imported goods except humanitarian aid.
It also implied that the move officially ended free trade with West Africa’s ECOWAS bloc, deepening the rift between the three and regional democracies like Nigeria and Ghana. Worth noting that ECOWAS sanctions imposed to force a return to civilian rule have had little impact, as the Sahel alliance continues to strengthen economic and security cooperation.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are among many African countries bartering natural resources. There have been cases, where huge natural-resource projects were given away without cabinet discussions and parliament’s approval.
Apparently, these agreements on resources extraction hardly deliver broad-based development dividends. Nevertheless, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have bilateral agreements with Russia. The three have offered complete access to exploiting their natural resources in exchange for military equipment and weaponry as well as military training. Burkina Faso signed a Memorandum of Understanding on nuclear energy with the State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) during the Russia-Africa summit held in St. Petersburg in July 2023.
Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned security issue and economic cooperation during his opening and closing speeches at the summit and even previously, indicating its importance on Russia’s agenda with Africa. In fact, there were five key summit documents and one of them focuses on ‘Strengthening Cooperation to Combat Terrorism’ which neatly relates to this article theme here under discussion.
Although Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have abundant human and natural resources, offering tremendous potential for rapid growth, there are existing deep-rooted challenges – environmental, political and security – that may affect the prosperity and peace of the region. Therefore, external support is badly required and which is why Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have to look up to Russia as their economic and security saviour, particularly this changing geopolitical situation in the world.
According to various narratives, Russia has embarked on fighting “neo-colonialism” which it considers as a stumbling stone on its way to regain a part of its Soviet-era influence in Africa. Russia has sought to convince Africans over the past years of the likely dangers of neocolonial tendencies perpetrated by the former colonial countries and the scramble for resources on the continent.
In pursuit of its geopolitical interest, Russia has ultimately begun making inroads into the Sahel region, an elongated landlocked territory located between North Africa (Maghreb) and West Africa, and also stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea.
With human and natural resources, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger China are undertaking giant economic and social transformation. Quite essentially, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, within the geopolitical reconfiguration in West Africa, are desirous to ensure their political sovereignty, engage in development which Russia has expressed interest to support.
Certainly, the three have pledged to work together to find common solutions, and are oriented towards multipolarity. In this way, they could consolidate its integration to become a center of influence, diversify the economy to become prosperous in the region. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are expected to continue to advance their collective interests for the purposes of their development, prosperity and stability.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger – all under military rule- have announced a new 0.5 per cent levy on imported goods from Nigeria and other Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member-nations.
The development comes as they seek to fund a new three-state union after leaving the larger regional economic bloc, they said in a statement.
Recall that the West African regional bloc, in January, in the spirit of regional solidarity, said they will recognise the national passports of the three countries bearing the ECOWAS logo until further notice and will allow for free trade with the three states under military rule and free movement will happen without visas.
However, the three nations, according to an official statement, said the levy was agreed on Friday and will take effect immediately, noting that it will affect all goods imported from outside the three countries but will not include humanitarian aid.
Funds from the levy would be used to “finance the activities” of the bloc, the group said, without giving details.
The move ends free trade across West Africa, whose states have for decades fallen under the umbrella of the ECOWAS, and highlights the rift between the three states that border the Sahara Desert and influential democracies like Nigeria and Ghana to the south.
The three countries, each ruled by military juntas that came to power through recent coups in 2023, had established the Alliance of Sahel States as a security agreement following their exit from ECOWAS bloc.
Over time, this alliance evolved into an aspiring economic union with plans to promote deeper military and financial integration, including introducing biometric passports.
Last year, the three nations left ECOWAS, citing claims that the bloc had not sufficiently supported them in fighting Islamist insurgencies and addressing insecurity in their countries.
The three countries, which are former colonies of France, have lamented the excesses and involvement of the European country on its affairs and resources. It has since built new relationships with Russia, Turkey, and Iran.
The three Sahelian countries have teamed up to form a separate confederation called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
The importance of introducing new technologies, the need for adopting innovative approaches as key drivers for the development of agriculture, as well as the need to develop an agricultural insurance system, in the context of climate change and global challenges, dominated discussions during the largest agricultural forum held in Ufa, a city in the Republic of Bashkortostan.
The main plenary session under the unique theme: “Agricultural Export: goals, trends and key development guidelines 2030” was opened by its moderator Louis Gouend, an expert of the Russia-Africa Cooperation Council under the State Duma of the Russian Federation and chairman of the commission for work with African diasporas of the Russian-African Club at Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, as well as president of the African Business Club.
Louis Gouend welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of the issues discussed for the sustainable growth of the Russian economy. In the context of sanctions and global challenges, such as import substitution, Russia was able to maintain stability and even increase the total volume of exports.
Ilshat Ildusovich Fazrakhmanov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan, addressing the forum, expressed warm greetings to participants, and further emphasized the importance of international cooperation in the field of agro-export. Fazrakhmanov introduced Zalina Lerievna Aiba, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Development of Agricultural Exports of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, for discussion of the federal agency’s strategies.
Zalina Lerievna Aiba singled out export growth as a key driver for the development of Russian agriculture. She noted the importance of Bashkortostan against this background and presented a program for the development of agricultural exports of the Republic of Bashkortostan until 2030, developed jointly with the Federal Center “Agroexport”. The program aims to give a new impetus to the development of the agricultural sector in the region.
Vitaly Yuryevich Nagalin presented promising areas for exporting Bashkortostan products, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches. In response to a question about products with high export potential, he emphasized the unique national products of Bashkiria that could interest the foreign market. Further, during the forum, the importance of introducing new technologies, such as digitalization and precision farming, to increase competitiveness was discussed.
The topic of supporting the agricultural sector was continued by discussing the role of Rosagroleasing. Pavel Nikolaevich Kosov spoke about the importance of material and technical equipment in the context of the Republic’s export potential. He emphasized that Rosagroleasing provides farmers with key tools for modernization, facilitating the renewal of the fleet of machinery and equipment, which is necessary for the effective use of innovations in agriculture.
Korney Datkovich Bizhdov presented a report on the importance of agricultural insurance as a mechanism for financial stability of the agricultural sector. He spoke about the support provided to Bashkortostan farmers last year, when the republic received 145 million rubles in insurance payments due to unfavorable weather conditions. Bizhdov emphasized the need to develop an agricultural insurance system in the context of climate change and global challenges. Promising development areas for the coming years were announced, including programs designed to protect agricultural producers and strengthen the position of the agro-industrial complex in international markets.
In her speech, Darya Vladimirovna Snitko emphasized the main trends in the Russian agro-industrial complex and the foreign economic challenges facing exports. She noted that it is necessary to adapt to rapidly changing global conditions and identified key strategies for strengthening the position of Russian agricultural products in the world market. Snitko also emphasized the importance of technological modernization and the need to invest in innovation to achieve a competitive advantage.
Sergey Vladimirovich Lakhtyukhov discussed the prospects for the export of poultry products, emphasizing the importance of international markets for the domestic sector. He spoke about the significant contribution of Bashkortostan to the production of poultry meat, where the region has increased production volumes by 153% over the past five years. Lakhtyukhov noted efforts in the field of import substitution of breeding material and highlighted areas that contribute to the growth of the export potential of Bashkir poultry farming, such as the production of commercial and breeding eggs.
In his speech, Roman Vyacheslavovich Kostyuk devoted attention to the strategic prospects of animal husbandry with an emphasis on export. He noted the leading positions of Bashkortostan in the production of milk and beef and emphasized that exports create new opportunities for Russian livestock breeders. In addition, Kostyuk focused on the need to increase production volumes, as well as on finding ways to successfully enter international markets, which will increase the income and competitiveness of domestic livestock farming.
At the end of the session, Louis Gouend, the African moderator and expert, invited all participants, entrepreneurs from the regions, to actively participate in the forthcoming Russia-Africa exhibition and forum in October 2025. The event will be held at the Chamber of Commerce of the Russian Federation in Moscow and expected to attract a large number of African entrepreneurs to interact with their Russian colleagues; this event is a unique platform for networking and exchanging experiences between Russian and African entrepreneurs. It is expected that the event will bring together a large number of representatives of business communities from African countries, which will create excellent opportunities for cooperation and the development of new business relations.
By participating in this forum, those present will be able to not only present their projects, but also learn about the latest trends and opportunities that the African market offers. It was strongly recommended that entrepreneurs take an active part in this significant upcoming corporate event.
In the final stage of the plenary session “Agro-Industrial Complex Export: Goals, Trends and Key Development Guidelines 2030” at the Agrocomplex Forum, Louis Gouend assertively noted that the entire discussion was a significant step towards building a sustainable and competitive agricultural export system. The meeting participants emphasized the importance of integrating new technologies and innovations that will help domestic producers take a strong position in the global market.
The future of the agro-industrial complex is mutually beneficial cooperation, sustainable development and confidence in the future, which became the main motive of the meeting. Continuing joint efforts and accumulating experience, were considered as conditions to achieve collective goals and ultimately contribute to global food security and population’s well-being.
The organizers in the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan sincerely thanked all participants and partners for their active participation and look forward to next meetings to discuss further steps toward the successful development of agricultural exports!
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