Teenage footballers enthusiastically listen to the Russian national anthem before a match in Burkina Faso, where cultural events are blending with political interests. The country is becoming a focal point in Russia’s strategy to expand its influence in Africa.
Recent findings indicate that Russia is leveraging media and cultural initiatives to attract journalists, influencers, and students from African countries while disseminating misleading information. These activities are spearheaded by the African Initiative, a recently established Russian media organization that positions itself as a bridge between Russia and Africa. Experts suggest the organization has ties to the Russian security services and has built upon structures previously established by the now-disbanded Wagner Group.
Registered in September 2023—just a month after Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, died in a plane crash—the African Initiative has incorporated former employees from Wagner’s operations. This initiative is particularly concentrated in the military-led nations of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, which have recently distanced themselves from Western powers due to perceived failures in combating extremist groups.
In addition to cultural events, the African Initiative operates a multilingual news website and multiple Telegram channels to amplify its messaging and reach a wider audience. Some of these channels have roots in earlier platforms associated with Wagner and are now repurposed to promote narratives favorable to the Kremlin.
The narratives spread by the African Initiative include unsubstantiated claims framing the United States as a producer of biological weapons in Africa, echoing historical Kremlin disinformation strategies. These claims suggest that U.S. bio-labs are covertly conducting experiments under the guise of humanitarian projects.
Research indicates that while Prigozhin targeted France in his propaganda, the African Initiative appears to focus more on anti-American sentiments. This has raised alarms among experts observing the shifting dynamics of information warfare in Africa.
In June, African Initiative organized a press tour for bloggers and journalists from various countries, offering them a visit to Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine. The participants were exposed to carefully curated narratives designed to reshape perceptions of the conflict.
One notable incident involved Ghanaian journalist Ivy Setordjie, who described the occupied Ukrainian areas as “conflict zones in Russia” after her visit to these regions, seemingly adopting Russian state propaganda in her reporting.
Beyond press tours, local affiliates of the African Initiative in West Africa’s Sahel region have engaged in community outreach to enhance Russia’s image. In Burkina Faso, activities sponsored by the African Initiative included football competitions featuring the Russian national anthem, educational sessions about Russia, first aid workshops, and a graffiti festival depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin alongside Burkina Faso’s former leader.
The organization’s efforts also entailed food distribution and screenings of pro-Russian documentaries, such as “The Tourist,” focusing on Wagner’s activities in the Central African Republic.
Viktor Lukovenko, once a key figure in establishing the African Initiative’s Burkina Faso office, has recently stepped down. His background as a former Russian nationalist with a criminal history raises questions about the organization’s operational integrity.
Despite requests for comments from the African Initiative’s Moscow office, no responses were provided. The organization’s stated mission of fostering dialogue about Africa within Russia while promoting Russia in Africa continues, particularly in its expanded outreach efforts in the Sahel region.
