Russia Talking with Sahel Countries on Satellite Cooperation

 Business Insider Africa published on 22 January 2026 an article titled "Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger Turn to Russia to Build the Sahel's First Shared Telecom Satellite" by Solomon Ekanem.

Russia is in discussion with the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger concerning joint satellite projects, including telecommunications and remote sensing satellites to expand broadband access, secure encrypted communications, and improve surveillance of under-serviced areas.  This is a further indication of a shift by these countries away from the West.

Russia Plays the Long Game in Africa

 War on the Rocks published on 17 September 2025 a commentary titled "Russia Is Shrewdly Playing the Long Game in Africa" by Hanna Notte.

Russia's Africa Corps is methodically replacing the Wagner Group in Africa's Sahel region and is looking to expand elsewhere in West and Central Africa.  Russia seeks to avoid high risk missions and focus on training of local military and law enforcement.  Because of its preoccupation with the war in Ukraine, Russia is playing the long game in Africa.

A Comprehensive Report on Russia's Africa Corps

 The Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey published in August 2025 a study titled "Putin's New Frontier: The Prospects and Limitations of Africa Corps" by Hanna Notte. 

This timely and well researched study concludes that Russia's Africa Corps is a bureaucratic restructuring and rebranding of the Wagner Goup, which only continues to function in the Central African Republic.  It employs many former Wagner mercenary fighters and has taken control of its recruitment infrastructure. 

The Africa Corps is tethered closer to the Russian military's chain of command. It prioritizes training and routine security assistance rather than the high-risk missions of the Wagner Group.  It apparently relies on funding from Russia's state budget.  The Africa Corps might face future competition from countries such as Turkey, Iran, and China.  

Russia's Africa Corps Taking Over from Wagner Group

 Foreign Policy published on 3 September 2025 an article titled "Prigozhin's Ghost Haunts Africa Corps" by Christopher Faulkner, US Naval War College.

The Central Africa Republic (CAR) stands as the sole remaining foothold of the Wagner Group.  Its successor, the Africa Corps, is replacing it, but so far it has served as little more than a praetorian guard for autocrats seeking regime survival and deeper relations with Russia. Moscow has even asked the CAR to cut ties with the Wagner Group and sign a contract with the Africa Corps, which will pose serious challenges for Russia's policy on the continent.

Russia Tries to Improve Security in Africa's Sahel Region

 Al-Estiklal published on 29 August 2025 an article titled "Sahel States and Russia Establish Strategic Partnership: Messages and Objectives."

In mid-August, Russia invited the defense ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to Moscow to discuss strengthening security ties.  Russia reportedly is prepared to provide comprehensive support to these countries as they battle terrorist threats and armed groups.  The meeting also signaled the transfer of security support from Russia's Wagner Group to its Africa Corps replacement. 

Russia and the West: Trying to Get It Right in the Sahel

 The Foreign Policy Research Institute published on 30 July 2024 an analysis titled "The West's Loss of the Sahel: Not (only) Russia's Doing" by Dan Whitman.  

Russian disinformation alone is not responsible for the rejection of France and the United States in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.  Weak democracies, historic resentment of French colonialism, and disillusionment with Western military assistance contributed to the problem.  Russia just exploited African ire.  Are the Russians next to experience African disillusionment?