‘Economic incentives are limited’: What does Russia really offer Africa?

In 2019, I travelled to Berengo Palace, outside Bangui, to interview Russian mercenaries.Once the home of Jean-Bedel Bokassa, the Central African Republic’s self-crowned emperor, it was now occupied by fighters from the Wagner Group. One of the first things they told me was not about the country they had come to defend, but the country they had left.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Mali’s army says it has taken Kidal from Tuareg rebels, with Russia’s helplist 2 of 3Algeria’s military deployment to Niger: What’s behind the move?list 3 of 3Russia is selling Africa dependence disguised as partnershipend of listA man named Vladimir shook my hand.“Russia is back in Africa,” he said.Seven years later, Wagner’s founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is dead.In the Sahel, Wagner has given way to Africa Corps, controlled by Russia’s Ministry of Defence. Moscow is fighting a war in Ukraine, where Africans have been recruited, some under false pretences. An investigation by Journalists for Justice documented 502 African deaths by June 2026.In Douala, Cameroon, I met Mama Regina, her eyes bloodshot as she held back tears. Her son Moses had gone to Russia to fight. His portrait hung on the wa...