Moscow is preparing to open three new embassies in the Comoros, Togo and Gambia, a move that will raise its total number of diplomatic missions on the continent to 49.

This expansion is part of a broader Russian strategy to strengthen its political and economic presence in Africa, which has become a pivotal arena of competition between global powers.

Rapid expansion within two years

According to officials in the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Comoros embassy is scheduled to open in September, while the embassies of Togo and Gambia are expected to open before the start of summer.

This expansion is an extension of previous moves that saw the opening of embassies in Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea in 2024, and then in South Sudan, Nigeria and Sierra Leone during 2025.

Africa is at the heart of Russian calculations

Russia is seeking to use its diplomatic network to open up opportunities in the mining, energy and defense sectors, areas in which Russia has seen remarkable activity in recent years, particularly through security partnerships and agreements that grant it access to natural resources in exchange for military and technical support.

Fierce competition with the West and China

Russia's expansion coincides with increasing competition with Western countries and China for influence within rapidly growing African economies.

While Moscow focuses on security and resources, Beijing has strengthened its presence through infrastructure projects and industrial investment, making it the continent's largest trading partner.

Significant growth in trade exchange

Official data indicates that trade between Russia and African countries grew by double digits to reach approximately $27 billion in 2024, an indication of accelerating economic cooperation in parallel with diplomatic expansion.

For African countries, the presence of multiple competing powers represents both opportunities and challenges, and governments are increasingly exploiting this competition to negotiate better deals, pursue local added value, and diversify partnerships across various sectors, from mining to security.

This scenario reflects Africa's transformation into a key focus of international strategies, as Moscow seeks to establish a permanent foothold through political, diplomatic, and economic means.