Russia Expands Sanctions Workaround Network into Africa
Russia is reportedly rolling out a new financial system aimed at bypassing Western sanctions while deepening its footprint across Africa.
According to a report by the Financial Times, the network…known as A7…uses cryptocurrency tools to facilitate international trade outside traditional Western banking systems.
The platform is co-owned by Promsvyazbank and fugitive oligarch Ilan Șor. It operates using a ruble-backed stablecoin and promissory note structures, allowing transactions to bypass conventional financial rails.
A7 is reportedly expanding across the continent, with offices linked to operations in Nigeria and Zimbabwe, alongside recruitment efforts in Togo.
Promotional claims suggest the system already handles nearly 19% of Russia’s foreign trade, though analysts caution that its actual scale and physical presence remain difficult to verify due to its secretive nature.
The move signals a broader push by Moscow to build alternative financial infrastructure as sanctions continue to isolate it from Western markets.