Russia expands influence in Africa through military and economic networks

Russia is expanding its political, military, and economic influence across Africa by leveraging security crises and military coups. In countries such as Mali, Libya, Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Niger, Moscow provides military support to regimes in exchange for access to strategic bases and natural resources.

Analysis from the Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS) reveals that flight tracking of Russian state and private carriers identified 75 flights linked to supplying Russian forces over a 19-month period, establishing logistical corridors through North Africa and the Middle East. Following the 2023 Wagner Group mutiny, these operations have transitioned to the Africa Corps, a unit under the Russian Ministry of Defense. The Africa Corps consists of 70% to 80% former Wagner personnel and utilizes the same supply routes and mining concessions.

Concurrently, tensions are rising as Ukraine is accused by Russian officials of acting as a Western proxy in Africa. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Borisenko has claimed that Ukrainian drone instructors are training armed groups in Mali, Libya, and Sudan to undermine Russian strategic gains in the region.