Although this mission is presented as a scientific survey to help African countries determine their fish stocks, Russian officials do not hide their ambition to strengthen their maritime influence in a continent where major powers are competing for new resources.
Strategic Expansion Under Scientific Cover:
Bloomberg indicates that Russia, which is working to modernize its naval fleet and is looking for additional fishing areas, sees promising opportunities in the African coasts, especially in light of overfishing and weak oversight there. Researcher Joseph Siegle from the University of Maryland says that Moscow views Africa as a “potential extension” of its activities, similar to what it has done in the fields of gold, diamonds, and energy.
African countries rely heavily on fisheries in their economies, but most of them lack the technical capabilities to conduct regular surveys, making marine data a “rare strategic resource.” In West Africa in particular, illegal fishing causes losses of up to $9.4 billion annually.
Return to the Legacy of the Cold War:
Russian officials present this mission as a continuation of the scientific cooperation that Africa witnessed during the Soviet era, when Moscow sent experts and supported liberation movements from colonialism. Konstantin Bandorin from the Marine Research Institute says that many countries “retain old relationships and positive memories,” noting that officials in Cameroon spoke with the Russian delegation in Russian during the recent negotiations.
The Russian Fleet Between Past and Present:
During the Soviet era, Moscow owned the largest fishing fleet in the world. But the situation has changed now, with China surpassing it in terms of the number of ships and the size of activity. However, Russia sees Africa as an area to secure food, open new markets, and expand its fish exports, which are expected to reach $6 billion this year, helping it mitigate the impact of Western sanctions.
Maritime Influence… and Paving the Way for Other Issues:
Bloomberg quotes a former Russian diplomat as saying that Moscow views maritime cooperation as an entry point for broader talks that include military and political cooperation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov affirmed the interest of Russian companies in investing in the continent, while Bandorin explained that the results of the surveys will guide Russian commercial ships towards Africa, saying: “The size of the Russian presence may increase significantly.”
European and American Sanctions:
In contrast, the West continues to tighten restrictions. Last May, the European Union imposed sanctions on two Russian fishing companies on charges of espionage and sabotage, while Norway banned their ships from entering its ports. In the United States, President Donald Trump maintained the ban on imports of Russian seafood.
The coasts of West Africa today are filled with hundreds of ships from China and Europe, many of which are government-supported, while Brussels seeks to regulate its fleets through “sustainable fishing” agreements signed with nine African countries, which critics see as biased towards European interests at the expense of local communities.
Despite this complex environment, Moscow is working to consolidate its presence in the African maritime domain, in a move that reflects the reshaping of international influence maps through marine wealth and natural resources.
