The Russian government is intensifying efforts to strengthen its presence in West Africa through deeper engagement with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as part of its 2023–2026 Russia–Africa Partnership Action Plan. Speaking at a diplomatic forum, Tatiana Dovgalenko, Director of the African Partnership Department at Russia’s Foreign Ministry, said the Kremlin is pursuing a “qualitative shift” in Africa policy, aiming to build structured partnerships with regional blocs including ECOWAS, EAC, SADC, IGAD, ECCAS, and COMESA.
The renewed interest in ECOWAS comes at a time of heightened geopolitical shifts in West Africa. Member states Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have recently withdrawn from ECOWAS amid growing tensions with the bloc and are now forging closer military and economic ties with Russia under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Dovgalenko emphasized that Russia remains committed to supporting African sovereignty, economic development, and infrastructure investment, particularly as the continent seeks a more multipolar international order.
She also pointed to Russia’s diplomatic role in backing the African Union’s admission to the G20 in 2023, a move widely seen as enhancing Africa’s global influence. In addition, she welcomed Nigeria’s engagement with the BRICS framework, calling it a sign of Africa’s increasing alignment with non-Western economic blocs. Analysts view Russia’s strategy as part of its broader ambition to counter Western influence in Africa by positioning itself as a partner in development, security, and global governance.
