Pay to Access | Russia Confronted with Expanding Accusations of Disinformation and Hybrid Influence in Africa

Russia’s actions in Africa are increasingly under scrutiny. Beyond claims of being targeted by Western disinformation, Moscow faces allegations ranging from attacks on African journalists to contested security outcomes and exploitative labor linked to the war economy. Hybrid influence in Africa now blends information operations, security engagement, economic leverage, and migration flows, affecting Sahelian and coastal states alike and raising political-risk premia across the region.

This report contains:

• Targeting African Journalists – Case studies of disinformation campaigns, personal attacks, and the #Antifake narrative used by Russian diplomatic missions.
• Contested Security Footprint – Analysis of Wagner Group/Africa Corps deployments, training programs, and the impact on Sahelian and coastal stability.
• Labor Flows & War Economy – Evidence of coerced recruitment of African youth and exploitation within Russian-linked economic programs.
• Economic & Resource Influence – Overview of Russia’s growing role in African mining sectors and its effect on local value creation and dependency.
• Hybrid Influence Dynamics – How information, security, and economic levers converge to shape political, social, and investment risk environments.
• Geopolitical Implications – Assessment of AES maritime ambitions, coastal instability, and Moscow’s strategic leverage in West Africa.
• Strategic Recommendations – Priorities for governments, investors, and civil society to mitigate hybrid influence and preserve institutional resilience.

Essential reading for policymakers, risk analysts, journalists, investors, and institutions navigating hybrid influence, disinformation, and security–economic intersections across Africa.