Russia-Africa Summit: What are African nations gaining from closer ties with Moscow?

State-controlled Russian paramilitary forces alongside the Malian Army taking back the northern city of Kidal from armed groups in October. More than a battlefield gain, it's the latest Russian-supported victory on African soil. Human rights groups have accused those Russian fighters of killing civilians and torturing detainees. Still, African countries are increasing military cooperation with Russia, expanding its presence beyond the Sahel region. And citizens of African nations are joining Russian troops in the battlefield to fight against Ukraine. Rights groups say more than 500 fighters from across Africa have been killed in the conflict. We met a mother in mourning waiting for the return of her son's body. And in times of grief, Russia also offers a place to pray. Its Orthodox Church still has a small presence, but it is competing with American evangelicals. Seven years since the first Russia-Africa summit, military coups on the continent have brought Moscow new military partners. With Western sanctions limiting trade at this year's summit, Putin wants deals, not just handshakes, explains Sergei Illedinov, a former Russian officer. This is an economic summit. We made political and geopolitical gains, but at what cost? We need to translate that into economic result. In Guinea, Russia is seeking to expand Rusal's mining of bauxite used to make aluminum. In Niger, the Junta nationalized a uranium mine once run by a French corporation. In 2025, it signed a deal with Russia to explore new deposits. In Mali, Moscow is backing a gold refinery. And on the streets of many African cities, there's Yango, a popular Russian taxi app. But there's still a lot of room for growth. Russia's trade with all African countries is about $27 billion. But look at China. The total is about $350 billion, and the European Union, more than $400 billion. From the battlefield to the church, Moscow's influence has increased. Now it wants that influence to pay. many people across Africa want to know what they're getting in return and at what cost. Nicholas Hawk, Al Jazeera, Dakar.