At first glance, Kyiv and Kinshasa might seem like strangers separated by geography and history. But in today’s global diplomatic hustle, Ukraine is betting big that a bag of grain and a handshake can go a long way on the African continent.
Since the Russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine has launched a quiet but persistent campaign to win over African states—diplomatically, economically, and symbolically. That effort is now bearing fruit, with eight new embassies opened across the continent in just two years. From Mauritania in the northwest to Mozambique in the southeast, the expansion reflects a strategic shift by Kyiv: Africa is no longer a diplomatic afterthought.
The recent opening of Ukraine’s embassy in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is emblematic of this pivot. In a ceremony attended by DRC officials and EU representatives, Ukrainian diplomats underscored their goals—building partnerships based on shared food security, energy development, and post-conflict cooperation.
“This is about more than politics,” said one senior envoy. “It’s about showing African countries that Ukraine sees them as equal partners—not pawns in a global chessboard.”
And yes, there’s grain involved.
The flagship initiative of Kyiv’s Africa outreach is the “Grain from Ukraine” program, which has already delivered nearly 300,000 tonnes of food aid to over a dozen African nations. Funded partly by Western donors and coordinated with the World Food Programme, these shipments are both humanitarian lifelines and political olive branches.
Countries like Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan have received emergency wheat supplies at a time when global prices remain unstable, and local harvests suffer under climate stress. But the program also serves a broader purpose—countering Russian narratives that blame Western sanctions, not Moscow’s war, for global food insecurity.
“Every sack of grain that arrives with a Ukrainian flag is a rebuttal to Russian propaganda,” says Julius Moyo, a Nairobi-based political analyst. “It’s Kyiv’s way of saying: we’re not the problem—you know who is.”
Of course, this diplomatic sprint isn’t just about aid. Ukraine’s engagement is increasingly visible at forums like the African Union (AU) and in UN General Assembly votes. In the early days of the war, many African states abstained or adopted neutral tones. Now, with deeper diplomatic roots, Kyiv is seeing more vocal support—or at least a reduction in indifference.
Still, it’s an uphill climb.
Russia retains strong influence in many African countries, built on decades of Cold War-era alliances, arms deals, and more recently, mercenary partnerships through the Wagner Group. Moscow’s rhetoric about Western imperialism and anti-colonial solidarity continues to find receptive ears, particularly in nations wary of European double standards.
That’s why Ukraine is playing the long game. Its embassies are not lavish compounds with fountains and chandeliers—they’re modest operations, often with skeletal staff and tight budgets. But they’re present, accessible, and keen to listen. Ukrainian officials have hosted joint business forums in Nairobi, launched agricultural cooperation talks in Accra, and proposed solar energy pilot projects in Lusaka.
“They’re doing diplomacy on a shoestring,” said Dr. Aissatou Konaté, an international relations scholar based in Dakar. “But they’re doing it with purpose—and that counts.”
The reaction among African publics is mixed. While food aid is appreciated, some citizens question whether these gestures are transactional. Others welcome the symbolism, especially when Ukrainian diplomats openly acknowledge Africa’s historical grievances and offer genuine partnerships rather than top-down lectures.
In a continent fatigued by empty promises, Ukraine’s honesty is oddly refreshing.
To maintain momentum, Kyiv knows it must deliver more than food and flags. Economic partnerships, scholarships for African students, cultural exchanges, and consistent diplomatic engagement will be necessary to deepen the connections.
There are also practical security interests at stake. As Ukraine courts African votes and visibility, it also builds a counterweight to Russian leverage in international forums. Each African country that backs a resolution condemning Russia, or simply attends a Ukraine-hosted forum, helps tilt the diplomatic scales.
Ultimately, the campaign comes down to credibility. Ukraine isn’t pretending to solve Africa’s problems—but it is offering solidarity, and for now, that’s resonating.
“Solidarity with bread is still solidarity,” remarked a Ghanaian journalist during a recent press briefing in Accra. “And in this world, that’s more than most offer.”
