Russia is expanding its influence across West Africa through a new media organization called "African Initiative," which is tied to Moscow's security services and closely linked to the mercenary group Wagner.
Pro-Russian Narratives
The organization, founded just after Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin’s death in a plane crash in August 2023, spreads pro-Russian narratives and disinformation across countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, according to Digi24.
This network is especially active in Burkina Faso, where pro-Russian sentiment has grown stronger.
Local football teams now play the Russian national anthem before games, and graffiti artists paint murals of President Vladimir Putin alongside Burkina Faso’s revolutionary leader, Thomas Sankara. These events are part of the African Initiative’s effort to portray Russia as a friend and ally in the region.
Disinformation Spread by Kremlin
The organization runs a multi-language news site, Telegram channels, and even sponsors public events to promote a favorable image of Russia. One of their key goals is to push misinformation, including baseless claims that the U.S. is using Africa for secret bioweapon experiments.
These narratives echo disinformation spread by the Kremlin during the Ukraine war.
Researchers believe that the African Initiative inherited much of Wagner’s previous infrastructure in the region. Experts have pointed out that Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) plays a crucial role in running the new group. It targets African audiences with anti-Western, particularly anti-American, messaging.
As Russia strengthens its grip on public perception in West Africa, its influence is expected to grow further, particularly in countries that have distanced themselves from Western nations like France and the U.S. The African Initiative is not only a media outlet—it’s a tool of Russia’s broader strategy to build new alliances across the continent.
