ANANTA INSIGHTS
India and Africa | January 2025
Welcome to the first edition of Ananta Insights on Africa. Join us on this monthly journey as we explore the dynamic events, pivotal developments, and emerging narratives shaping Africa today.
Egypt’s Pivot To Djibouti
Egypt is focusing on building African alliances amidst regional instability that led to a 60% fall in Suez Canal revenues over the past 11 months – a loss of $7 billion. The diplomatic push comes amid mounting losses caused by shipping disruptions and attacks on Red Sea vessels by Yemen’s Houthi group.
Egypt’s foreign minister Badr Abdelatty spoke with his counterpart in Djibouti about protecting their shared interests in Red Sea maritime security. This Egyptian diplomatic push extends beyond the Horn of Africa, engaging with leaders from Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Congo, Kenya, and Chad. The Suez Canal that connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean has historically been a vital source of foreign currency for Egypt’s struggling economy. Egypt’s foreign ministry reiterated the need for strategic partnerships, given regional threats and militant activity along the Red Sea.
This renewed focus on the Horn of Africa offers Egypt a chance to reframe its strained ties with Ethiopia too over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River, shared by 11 countries. By engaging Djibouti and other key regional actors, Egypt signals a willingness to build a broader consensus on transboundary water issues. Additionally, fostering closer relations with Somalia allows Egypt to present itself as a stabilising force in the region. Cairo not only hopes to deepen its influence but also create opportunities to address broader geopolitical complexities of the Nile Basin and its contentious water-sharing disputes – Egypt gets 90% of its freshwater from the Nile.
• Further Read: The Strained: Egypt-Ethiopia Relations – Read more
China in Africa: Minerals, Markets & Multilateral Influence
Chinese diplomat Wang Yi visited Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Chad and Nigeria highlighting Beijing’s strategic interests in the region, especially towards securing critical mineral resources, expanding exports, enhancing infrastructure partnerships and boosting people-to-people exchanges.
The visit, which came as Republic of Congo assumes co-chairmanship of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), reiterates Beijing’s commitments, including a $51 billion financial pledge. Africa is a vital market for China’s state-owned infrastructure firms, electric vehicles, and solar panels. Africa’s 50+ votes at the UN make the continent crucial to Beijing’s efforts in reshaping multilateral institutions and reinterpreting global norms, particularly in areas like human rights.
Senegal, with whom Beijing has strong ties, is set to host the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar in October 2026 at the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium that was financed by China. The stadium’s renovation ahead of the Games is entirely funded by Beijing.
While China makes headwinds into Africa, India held its first Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and DRC April 10, 2024, in New Delhi. India has consistently fostered ties with African nations providing development aid, for instance, India dispatched a consignment of 1,000 MT rice to Namibia to combat a severe drought. India’s committed to helping nations of the Global South, grappling with environmental challenges and food scarcity. New Delhi’s also actively participated in defence and maritime ties with African nations.
Russia’s 2.0 ‘Africa Corps’
Following Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin’s death, Vladimir Putin has restructured the private military group under the name ‘Africa Corps’ to bolster Russia’s military presence on the continent. This rebranding aims to reshape both the group’s narrative and its operations, particularly in Central Africa. Wagner’s activities, spanning Mali, Sudan, Libya, and the Central African region, are expected to continue largely unchanged.
Source: Global initiative against Transitional Organized Crime, February 2023| DW
So, does this mean the Central African region is effectively becoming hostage territory for the Wagner Group?
According to a DW report, Fidele Gouandjika who is advisor to Central African Republic (CAR) President Faustin-Archange Touadera highlighted enduring defence and trade relations with Moscow, including licences in mining, brewing, and forestry.
Despite concerns raised by critics such as former Communications Minister Adrien Poussou regarding Wagner’s influence over CAR’s political and security landscape, their government has maintained that its agreements with Russia remain stable.
But concerns persist over Wagner’s growing influence in the region, even without Prigozhin at the helm. It is believed Wagner’s impact is strong enough that the region’s political processes can proceed without significant resistance, aligned with the Moscow-funded group’s ambitions. No prizes for guessing — CAR does not benefit in any way.
• Further read: The Central African government is aligned with Russian engagement, including defence agreements and cooperation in various sectors.-Read more
Mozambicans Say Povo no Poder
The streets of Mozambique are echoing with the lyrics of Azagaia, the late rapper whose music sparked a powerful protest movement against corruption, low wages, rising fuel and gas prices, and social injustice. The protests erupted following the controversial victory of the ruling Frelimo party in the October 2024 elections, which many believe were rigged. It seems the people are far from satisfied with the outcome. Azagaia’s music fearless critiqued state oppression. Following his sudden death in March 2023 at age 38 from epileptic seizures, his legacy has only grown in significance.
Azagaia became the voice of disheartened Mozambicans, and his art is now being used to highlight issues of inequality and systemic failures. His songs, frequently censored by authorities, are now sung openly as a form of protest — a quiet but powerful act adopted by Mozambique’s youth. The movement began after Azagaia’s death, with major cities like Maputo, Beira, Quelimane, and Nampula witnessing weekend mourning marches by youth organisations, symbolising silent protests.
Tracks like “Povo no Poder” (People in Power) directly challenge the political elite and spurred grassroots activism, resonating deeply in a country entrenched in corruption and economic disparity. The mourning crowds during Azagaia’s funeral clashed with police resulting in injuries and arrests. In a defiant act, the crowd attempted to carry Azagaia’s coffin past the president’s residence.
What began as a tribute to Azagaia’s life has now evolved into a broader movement demanding accountability and freedom of expression.
Frexit: Africa Bids Goodbye to France, A Geopolitical Shift
From February 2022 onward, French troops began systematically disengaging from the West African region, signalling a profound shift in France’s geopolitical and strategic priorities. The withdrawal started with Burkina Faso in February 2022, followed by Mali (Gao) on August 15, 2022, Niger (Niamey) on December 22, 2023, Côte d’Ivoire on January 2, 2025, and most recently from Faya-Largeau in Chad’s N’Djamena region on January 11, 2025.
This retreat reflects France’s reassessment of its role in the region amidst growing anti-French sentiment, criticisms of its perceived ineffectiveness in combating Islamist insurgencies, and declining regional trust. Economic dynamics have further compounded this shift, as countries in the region increasingly seek new economic partners, such as China, breaking away from the influence of the CFA franc. These nations now explicitly oppose French interference in their domestic affairs.
Additionally, military coups in France, led by discontented generals, have exacerbated internal divisions within the regime. This instability, combined with growing Russian influence in the region, has prompted West African states to explore partnerships with other global powers. The legacy of colonialism, coupled with the failures of Operation Barkhane, has further eroded France’s standing and credibility in its former sphere of influence.
France’s withdrawal highlights not only its diminishing influence in West Africa but also its broader strategic pivot to adapt to shifting alliances and demands of a multipolar world.
India in West Africa
India has long cultivated strong ties with West-African nations, offering development aid and enhancing defence partnerships. In Ghana, India has assisted in developing Air Force institutions, while in Nigeria, it helped establish a naval war college. Furthermore, India has built defence academies in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Tanzania and set up monitoring stations in Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles to bolster maritime security. A military training station in Uganda and expanded security efforts in the Gulf of Guinea, a piracy-prone shipping zone, further emphasise India’s commitment to regional security.
With Senegal, India collaborates in agriculture, urban transport, rural electrification, IT and healthcare. Both countries are also engaged through TEAM-9, a collaborative initiative between India and eight West African nations. Senegal notably signed the 2016 Declaration of Yoga as a “Human Treasure” at the UNESCO session in Addis Ababa.
India has also reinforced its presence in Africa, establishing embassies in Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme offers multi-field training in technology, education, and healthcare. Additionally, initiatives like the Pan-African E-Network provide telemedicine and educational services. However several key challenges persist in the region, particularly in sectors of agriculture, health, and technology.
Further Readings:
France leaves from West Africa. – Read more.
Operation Barkhane, A success or a failure? Read more
The Wagner Method: How Russia crept into Africa. – Read More
Chad decides to end colonial rule and send back French troops: Read more
Côte d’Ivoire president says French forces to withdraw in January- Read more
“Senegal is an independent country, it is a sovereign country and sovereignty does not accept the presence of military bases in a sovereign country,” – Read more
Varun beverages strengthens its presence in the South African market.Read more
Africa’s Space ambitions- Did India fall short of the African Ambition against Italy? Read more Read More
Is the India Digital Stack a model for Africa? Read more
The Russian engagements could also be seen in the north African belt when it comes to Mali and Libya. Financial support for military establishments and military bases aimed to be set up soon: (Refer to the same article for Mali)Libya-Read more
Mali accuses Algeria of fuelling Sahel insecurity by supporting Tuareg rebels:Read more
Mali Burkina Faso and Niger have rejected the ECOWAS- Wagner group and western backed ECOWAS, conflict of geostrategies. Read More
“Povo no Poder by Azagaia”- Visit Link
Mozambique: How a rapper’s death sparked youth-led protests- Read More
The Song and Rapper, Inspiring Mozambique’s Youth to Protest on the Streets- Read more
Russia’s influence may weaken after Bashr-al-Assad’s Fall- Read more
South Africa- 100s of miners are dead and a few are being rescued from an abandoned mine in Johannesburg- Read more