Russian state-owned companies such as Russian Railways and Rosatom are actively using large infrastructure projects to advance their political interests in Africa.
Russia, and in particular its state-owned companies Russian Railways and Rosatom, are actively using large-scale infrastructure projects to advance their political interests in Africa. This is part of the Kremlin’s “soft power” strategy.
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported this.
“Russian influence on Africa due to infrastructure projects is a destabilizing factor, which under the guise of development aid leads to dependence on Moscow. Russians use this approach on a global level,” explains Andrey Yusov, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
Russian Railways is expanding its railway projects and humanitarian presence.
Russian railway company RZD plans to implement projects in Burkina Faso, Ghana and South Africa.
In May, Russian Railways approved a concept for developing its “humanitarian presence” abroad until 2030.
A separate major area is the creation of a joint university with Russia in South Africa, where students from all over the African continent will be able to study.
Rosatom is forming a loyal technological elite
At the same time, Rosatom is promoting projects aimed at forming an elite loyal to the Kremlin. In addition to training personnel for nuclear power plants, the talk is about creating a comprehensive national educational system that will work in the interests of Russia.
For example, the possibility of opening branches of Russian universities near a nuclear power plant in Egypt (the city of Alexandria) is being considered – this should ensure Russia's long-term influence in personnel.
Let us recall that Captain Ibrahim Traore, the young leader of the junta from Burkina Faso, renounced ties with the West in favor of cooperation with Russia, nationalized the mines and became a hero for millions of Africans.
