Inside Project ‘Afrika’: How Russia Has Been Targeting French-Speaking African Media

A trove of leaked confidential documents has exposed what appears to be a coordinated Russian effort to seed hundreds of articles across French-language media outlets in West and Central Africa, raising fresh concerns about the reach of foreign influence operations on the continent. FRANCE 24’s investigative team travelled to Dakar, Senegal, to trace the contours of the secretive initiative, referred to internally as Project “Afrika”.

What the leaked documents reveal

According to the files reviewed by FRANCE 24’s Observers team, the operation involved Russian actors placing content tailored for francophone African audiences, leveraging local news websites and media platforms that often serve as primary information sources for millions of readers across the region. The documents suggest a systematic approach rather than isolated attempts, with editorial placement appearing to be coordinated centrally and adapted to the political climate of each target country.

The revelations come amid growing international scrutiny of Moscow’s information operations in Africa, where several governments have moved closer to the Kremlin in recent years, particularly following the disruption caused by successive military coups in the Sahel region.

Why francophone Africa is a strategic target

French-speaking Africa has long been viewed by analysts as a particularly receptive audience for messaging that frames Russia as a counterweight to former colonial powers. The shared language across several West and Central African states offers a single gateway for content distribution, while media landscapes in many of these countries remain fragmented and under-resourced, leaving outlets potentially more open to externally produced material.

Researchers studying disinformation in the region have repeatedly warned that the combination of linguistic ties, political instability, and limited press capacity creates fertile ground for influence campaigns aimed at shaping public opinion on sensitive geopolitical issues.

Investigating on the ground in Dakar

From Dakar, FRANCE 24 reporters examined how the alleged operation intersected with the realities of local journalism, where many outlets operate with limited budgets and rely on a steady flow of contributed content. The investigation sheds light on the mechanisms by which foreign-produced narratives can find their way into domestic news ecosystems, often without readers being aware of their origin.

The findings also point to the broader challenge facing African newsrooms as they navigate an increasingly crowded information environment, in which the lines between legitimate editorial contribution and orchestrated influence are not always clear.

A wider pattern of influence

Analysts interviewed as part of the FRANCE 24 investigation say the tactics documented in the leaked files are consistent with a broader Russian strategy on the continent, one that combines media outreach with political, military, and economic engagement. The apparent aim, observers suggest, is to cultivate sympathetic publics and decision-makers in countries where Moscow’s interests compete with those of Western nations.

As African governments and civil society groups continue to grapple with the implications of such operations, the Project “Afrika” leak is likely to fuel further debate about media sovereignty, the regulation of foreign-backed content, and the resilience of independent journalism in francophone Africa.

Source: FRANCE 24 — read the original report.