African Initiative – State Media Monitor

African Initiative is a Moscow-based news agency launched in September 2023. While presenting itself as a platform to promote mutual understanding between Russia and Africa, the outlet has rapidly become one of the Kremlin’s principal propaganda tools on the continent. Its content promotes pro-Russian narratives, attacks Western influence, and seeks to legitimize Russia’s presence in Africa through a mix of news, commentary, and organized events. The initiative has also expanded into cultural and even gaming projects (such as the “African Dawn” video game modification) to extend its reach to younger audiences.

Media assets

News portal: African Initiative

State Media Matrix Typology

Ownership and governance

The African Initiative was established by Viktor Lukovenko, a former Wagner operative. Its management structure is opaque, but investigations by Viginum (the French government’s agency monitoring foreign digital interference) have linked the organization’s leadership to Russian intelligence services (RIS). The outlet is thus regarded not as an independent media agency but as a state-linked influence operation, functioning as a successor to Wagner’s media operations after Yevgeny Prigozhin’s death.

Source of funding and budget

African Initiative does not publish financial reports, and there is no evidence of commercial revenue. According to French and EU intelligence assessments, the organization benefits from Russian state-linked financial and logistical support, replacing Wagner’s previous funding pipelines. This includes resources to run multilingual websites, sponsor trips for African journalists to Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, and organize public events across Africa. Its activities are consistent with other Russian state-directed propaganda organs such as RT and Sputnik.

In 2024, the company operating African Initiative reported revenues of RUB 44.9 million (approximately USD 488,000) and a net loss of RUB 4.1 million (about USD 45,000), according to data collected by the Media and Journalism Research Center (MJRC).

For detailed financial results of Rambler&Co and their companies, contact Media and Journalism Research Center.

Editorial independence

African Initiative has no editorial independence. Its agenda is dictated by the Kremlin’s foreign policy priorities, with content aligned to Russia’s geopolitical interests in Africa. Its activities include orchestrating disinformation campaigns, staging propaganda trips to occupied Ukrainian regions, and amplifying anti-Western rhetoric. Analysts underline that the outlet operates as a front for coordinated information manipulation and interference, not as a journalistic organization.

August 2025