Centre for African Studies

Publications

• Article

  Sviridov V., Andreeva T.

  French Exit, Russian Entry: What’s Next for Nigeria’s Role in ECOWAS?

  Nigeria, a regional leader, is being forced to rethink its position due to the shifting balance of power in West Africa. The withdrawal of French troops, the emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), and the expansion of Russian influence have drastically altered the region’s power structure. As chair of ECOWAS, Abuja faces the Herculean challenge of leading a more divided West Africa, where security interests and economic agendas increasingly converge. This paper examines Russia’s growing influence in the Sahel region and its potential impact on Nigeria’s foreign policy. Drawing on qualitative research that includes policy analysis and in-depth interviews with Nigerian pundits, the authors assess Abuja’s responses to these developments. By highlighting the significance of Russia’s involvement, the paper offers a fresh perspective on Nigeria’s leadership within ECOWAS and the evolving nature of its foreign policy amid the region’s changing security and economic landscape. The research seeks to determine whether Nigeria can reassert itself amid Russia’s growing presence and the formation of the AES and leverage regional initiatives such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline to advance its strategic interests.

  Society. 2025. P. 1-11.

• Book chapter

  Sviridov V.

  Russia and Africa: Not Only Grain, Oil, and Tanks

  The chapter discusses the topic of Russia-Africa interaction, its evolution and current state. The author analyzes the role given to Africa in Russian doctrinal documents, sums up Russia-Africa cooperation results to date, and investigates mainstream Western narratives on this issue. The article discusses possible future directions of cooperation between Russia and African countries beyond the military sphere or food. A special place is given to disruptive technologies, as well as information and communication technologies, space, energy transition and critical minerals, capacity-building, and technology transfer.

  In bk.: Security Index Yearbook. Volume 1 | 2024-2025 | Global Edition. Prt. 1: Global Security in the Times of Transition to a Multipolar World. PIR Center, 2024. Ch. 13. P. 221-234.