A Russian cryptocurrency network under Western sanctions is seeking to establish a presence in Africa, reflecting Moscow’s broader efforts to circumvent international restrictions and extend its influence across the continent, according to reporting by the Financial Times. The platform, A7, was founded in 2024 by fugitive Moldovan oligarch Ilan Șor and Russian state-linked lender Promsvyazbank. A recent job vacancy in Togo sought a project manager to build a business “from scratch,” highlighting Russia’s ambitions to expand its alternative payment systems in West Africa.
The recruitment notice is emblematic of Moscow’s strategy to adapt to sanctions imposed after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. With Russian banks cut off from global financial networks, A7 has emerged as a mechanism to maintain rouble transactions abroad. Promotional materials from the company claim that it handles up to 19 percent of Russia’s foreign trade, though these figures cannot be independently verified. A7 employs a variety of methods, including stablecoins and promissory notes, to facilitate payments despite Western financial restrictions.
A7’s expansion into Africa aligns with Russia’s growing political and economic presence on the continent. Moscow has strengthened its ties with multiple African nations in recent years, capitalizing on political instability in regions such as the Sahel and Madagascar. Videos of the Lagos office launch, analyzed by the London-based Centre for Information Resilience, show a facility prominently decorated with A7 logos, though it remains unclear if the offices are fully operational. Zimbabwe also reportedly received a branch, while the Togo vacancy is the first publicly visible indication of an intended presence there.
Elise Thomas, senior investigator at the Centre for Information Resilience, said the moves may represent an effort to “integrate their operation into the Kremlin’s larger strategic machine in Africa.” The launch of African branches comes at a time when Russia is seeking to secure alternative payment channels insulated from the US dollar, as Western sanctions have limited the country’s access to global banking infrastructure.
Moscow’s push into Africa is also politically backed. At a Russia-Africa conference in Cairo in December 2025, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reported that 84 percent of Russia’s trade with African countries was conducted in roubles between January and September. Lavrov described A7 as Russia’s “first international financial platform” and encouraged other African partners to join, citing Nigeria and Zimbabwe as early participants.
In interviews and media statements, A7’s founder Ilan Șor emphasized that the platform was initially designed as a response to “illegally imposed international sanctions” and had proven effective in facilitating transactions. “Other countries have expressed interest and requested to use our system. And we decided to expand to the African continent,” Șor said, according to Russian media. The deputy chair of Promsvyazbank, Mikhail Dorofeev, echoed this in remarks to state news agency Interfax, emphasizing a “shared interest in scaling a stable and sanctions-resilient cross-border settlements system” in Africa.
Despite these announcements, independent verification of A7’s operations in Africa is limited. Interviews with local cryptocurrency participants in Nigeria and Zimbabwe suggest that the network has a minimal footprint and is not widely recognized. Videos of office openings indicate formal events, yet the practical operation of these branches remains opaque. Similarly, a visit to Madagascar in January by Dorofeev and Igor Khimich, a close associate of Șor, was reported by Africa Intelligence but could not be confirmed by the Financial Times. This visit coincided with intensified Russian involvement in Madagascar following a military coup in October 2025, including the deployment of Russian military instructors to train local troops.
The African expansion also reflects broader Russian strategic goals. Moscow has signed military cooperation agreements, such as the one with Togo after a visit by President Vladimir Putin in November 2025, signaling a combined economic and security approach to cement influence. “Our trade and economic activity have steadily been developing. We are entering a new era of bilateral relations,” Putin said at the time.
Russia’s African strategy is part of a wider push to build financial and technological resilience against Western sanctions. By establishing payment networks and exploring alternative settlement systems, Moscow aims to sustain trade and maintain influence in regions critical for resources and geopolitics. Analysts warn, however, that the success of these initiatives depends on operational execution, local acceptance, and the ability to navigate legal and financial scrutiny in host countries.
While A7 markets itself as a fast and uninterrupted payment solution, much of its network remains largely theoretical outside formal announcements. Videos of office launches and media coverage signal intent, yet local observers report minimal awareness of the platform. Some high-profile attendees at these events, including US-Belarusian businessman Alexander Zingman, were present as observers or participants in unrelated commercial activities, not as operators of the A7 network.
Financial Times reporting suggests that A7’s African ventures are emblematic of Russia’s broader strategy to maintain economic activity under sanctions. By leveraging cryptocurrency, stablecoins, and a network of sanctioned individuals and institutions, Moscow seeks to create alternative financial pathways while simultaneously extending its geopolitical reach. With the establishment of offices in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and potentially Togo, A7 represents a high-profile effort to combine finance, technology, and strategy in pursuit of Moscow’s global objectives.
