Wes Cooper, Research Fellow,  Africa Foreign Policy & Diaspora Studies Lab

During Soviet times, Russia’s relations with Africa were strong, but with the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia withdrew from the region and closed several embassies in Africa. However, over the past few years, Russia has been steadily increasing relations with Africa for a few reasons, including the value of African votes at the United Nations (UN), the unsuccessfulness of Russia’s pivot to China, and western sanctions on the country. While the value of a relationship between Russia and Africa may seem mutually beneficial, African nations should be wary of the relationship due to the possibility of Russia exploiting Africa for natural resources.

There has been a history of foreign powers significantly exploiting Africa for its natural resources, and Russia has been intent on making use of the natural resources in African countries. For instance, in the Central African Republic (CAR), Russia has been mining for diamonds and gold while also providing arms and training to the Central African Republic, according to Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty and CNN.

Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson Artyom Kozhin explained that “Russia is exploring the possibilities of the mutually beneficial development of Central African natural resources.” Kozhin went on to explain, “We believe these projects will help stabilize the economic situation in CAR, promote the construction of the infrastructure, and serve as a basis for drawing additional investment to the country’s economy.”

While it may be true that revitalizing the CAR’s natural resources and the economy will bring investment, what can be seen from Kozhin’s statement is Russia’s interest in the CAR’s natural resources. The level of this interest in natural resources is something that the CAR should be very wary of.

Russia also seems to be interested in the natural resources of Libya, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Egypt. In particular, Russia is interested in harnessing natural resources in these states to use them for Russian companies to create new streams of energy supply. These new streams of energy supply include the creation of nuclear energy. However, according to the Moscow Times, these nuclear energy projects may not be in Africa’s best interest. For instance, many African countries for lack of capacity, cannot distribute the amount of energy generated by the types of reactors that Russia is selling. Additionally, nuclear energy projects likely won’t benefit the most impoverished populations in Africa.

Russia’s relationship with Egypt, much like Russia’s relationship with the CAR, is also gaining strength. According to Anton Kobyakov, an aide to President Putin, mutual trade between Russia and Egypt has been increasing, and the two countries have been cooperating in education and technology. Kobyakov went on to explain that “there is reason to believe that this positive trend will continue.”

In fact, Russia and Egypt just discussed and worked on ways to develop their relationship together during a summit that took place between Russia and several African countries. The summit took place on October 23-24 in Sochi, and it is expected be the largest event in the history of Russia – Africa relations. 

Although the Russia – Africa summit is a positive beacon for a growing relationship between the two regions, Africans should still be wary of Russia’s interest in their continent. Nataliya Bugayova from the Institute for the Study of War in Washington DC explained, “I don’t think the overall wellbeing of the African states is driving the Russian campaign, whether nuclear or anything else.” This statement by Bugayova reiterates the point made earlier, that Russia is especially interested in the natural resources of Africa. In the immediate aftermath of the recent summit, it is vital to keep an eye on what the future holds for Russia-Africa Relations.