As of early 2026, Russia has significantly institutionalized its presence in Africa by transitioning from the semi-private Wagner Group model to the state-controlled Africa Corps, directly overseen by the Ministry of Defense. This shift marks a strategic move to secure long-term geopolitical influence and resource dependencies, particularly in regions like Mali, the Central African Republic, and Sudan. While Russia’s total trade volume with the continent—approximately $25 billion—remains modest compared to China or the U.S., its outsized impact is driven by a „security-for-resources“ exchange. By providing military training and regime protection in exchange for mining concessions and strategic access, Moscow successfully positions itself as an alternative to Western conditional aid, particularly for governments seeking to evade international sanctions or democratic oversight.
Russia’s broader economic strategy centers on long-term infrastructure and energy diplomacy, with Rosatom leading a massive push for nuclear sovereignty across the continent. Cooperation agreements now span over 20 nations, including major construction projects in Egypt and Nigeria, as well as new partnerships with Ethiopia and Niger. This energy-centric approach is complemented by „infrastructure diplomacy,“ where state entities propose comprehensive modernizations of transport networks, such as the 2025 agreement with Sudan to rehabilitate its railway and airport systems. By embedding itself in these vital national sectors, Russia aims to create decades-long technological and financial dependencies, ensuring its status as a global power in a multipolar world despite its ongoing economic isolation in the West.
Read the full article by Henrique Schneider on GIS Reports.