Why is Russia deepening its engagement with Africa — and what does it really bring to the table?
🎙️ In this wide-ranging conversation, Steven Gruzd, Head of the Africa-Russia Project at SAIIA, unpacks the drivers, limits, and symbolism of Russia’s Africa policy — from Cold War nostalgia to BRICS diplomacy and stalled energy ambitions.
Content
- The Soviet Legacy: Shaping Russia’s Modern Foreign Policy Towards Africa
- Post-Soviet Space and Africa: How Africa Views Former Soviet Republics
- Russia’s Security Presence in Africa: The Role of the Wagner Group
- Arms Deals and Military Influence: Russia’s Weapon Sales to Africa
- Russia vs. China: Economic Influence in Africa
- Why is Russia’s Trade in Africa Still Lagging Behind?
- Russian Energy Companies in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges
- Do African Countries Seek Energy Partnerships with Russia?
- The Russia-Africa Summit: A Diplomatic Platform for Russia’s Interests
- Russia-Africa Summit vs. BRICS: Diverging Approaches to Russian Interests in Africa
- Russia’s Soft Power in Africa: Academic and Cultural Initiatives
- Peacekeeping and Counterterrorism: Russia’s Role in African Stability
- Russian Foreign Aid to Africa: Aid or Influence?
- Russian Media’s Influence in Africa: Shaping Public Opinion
- Under-Explored Research Areas in Russia-Africa Relations
Steven Gruzd
Steven Gruzd is the Head of the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme and the Africa-Russia Project at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA). Gruzd has authored influential analyses on Africa–Russia summits, BRICS cooperation, and the re-emergence of Russian influence in African foreign policy arenas. In addition to his policy work, Steven is also a contributing journalist to the South African Jewish Report, where he writes on international affairs, governance, and Jewish community issues, bringing a journalistic lens to complex geopolitical developments.
Selected Publications:
The Russian invasion of Ukraine still sends ripples into Africa
https://saiia.org.za/research/the-russian-invasion-of-ukraine-still-sends-ripples-into-africa/
Why African leaders have a blind spot for Russia
https://saiia.org.za/research/the-invasion-that-shook-the-world/
CLIFFORD, C., & GRUZD, S. (2022). Russian and African Media: Exercising Soft Power. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep40121
Gruzd, S., Ramani, S., & Clifford, C. (2022). Russia in Africa: Who is courting whom? South African Journal of International Affairs, 29(4), 401–405. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10220461.2022.2146184
