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Spotlight | Africa
From the battlefield to the workforce: Moscow's growing reliance on African labour

Subscribers only By Noé Michalon

Published on 15.09.2026 at 04:40 GMT 7 min read Lire en français

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) alongside his foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, during a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the fringes of the BRICS summit in New Delhi on 11 September 2026. © Sputnik/Kristina Solovyova/Pool via Reuters

Having pledged to no longer employ fighters from around 40 countries, Russia has diversified its recruitment across the continent. New African countries are emerging as sources of soldiers, and Moscow is now relying on thousands of African workers for a variety of industries, including the military.

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Spotlight | Africa
From the battlefield to the workforce: Moscow's growing reliance on African labour

Having pledged to no longer employ fighters from around 40 countries, Russia has diversified its recruitment across the continent. New African countries are emerging as sources of soldiers, and Moscow is now relying on thousands of African workers for a variety of industries, including the military.

Related topics to this article

Read also

Africa
Putin seeks to connect Crimea and the continent during Russia-Africa summit

Spotlight | Kenya
Ruto faces evasive Putin over Kenyan fighters

Africa
AU chair Mahamoud Ali Youssouf due to attend Putin's summit

Spotlight | Africa
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The New Guard
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NigeriaAmadou Thiam, driving force behind the Turkish defence industry

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Nairobi and Moscow to address perilous issue of Kenyan soldiers recruited by Russian army

Spotlight | Kenya
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Kyiv, a new recruitment hub for DRC's drone war

About Africa Intelligence

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Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

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Indigo Publications' websites

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Spotlight | Africa From the battlefield to the workforce: Moscow's growing reliance on African labour

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Africa Putin seeks to connect Crimea and the continent during Russia-Africa summit

Spotlight | Kenya Ruto faces evasive Putin over Kenyan fighters

Africa AU chair Mahamoud Ali Youssouf due to attend Putin's summit

Spotlight | Africa Putin courts heads of state as 17 confirm Moscow summit

Africa Putin's party rallies African networks to promote new anti-neocolonialism movement

The New Guard Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya

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Africa Religious feud between Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox Churches worsens

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Spotlight | Kenya Russia's recruitment of Kenyan fighters sparks political fallout in Nairobi

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About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Spotlight | Africa
From the battlefield to the workforce: Moscow's growing reliance on African labour

Africa
Putin seeks to connect Crimea and the continent during Russia-Africa summit

Spotlight | Kenya
Ruto faces evasive Putin over Kenyan fighters

Africa
AU chair Mahamoud Ali Youssouf due to attend Putin's summit

Spotlight | Africa
Putin courts heads of state as 17 confirm Moscow summit

Africa
Putin's party rallies African networks to promote new anti-neocolonialism movement

The New Guard
Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya

Africa
Religious feud between Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox Churches worsens

Spotlight | Africa
Ukraine rethinks its diplomatic strategy to combat Russian influence

Spotlight | Kenya
Nairobi and Moscow to address perilous issue of Kenyan soldiers recruited by Russian army

Spotlight | Kenya
Russia's recruitment of Kenyan fighters sparks political fallout in Nairobi