Russia’s economic promises to Africa amount to hollow propaganda masking a predatory agenda. Trade data expose Moscow’s repeated failure to deliver on investment pledges, with relationships dominated by lopsided exports and sustained more by messaging than tangible results. To compensate, the Kremlin relies heavily on disinformation to project an illusion of influence. On the ground, this approach translates into exploiting fragile states through mercenary violence and extractive deals, reducing African countries to dependent clients rather than equal, long-term partners.