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Maxime Paszkowiak

Africa Intelligence journalist Maxime Paszkowiak is a specialist of defence topics.

Spotlight | Senegal
Dakar's secret €300m arms contract

In the midst of a budget shortfall and IMF scrutiny of the state's accounts, the Senegalese authorities signed a €317m contract with a Turkish company to equip the army for three years.

Subscribers only Defence 28.03.2025

Mbaye Cissé, Senegal's chief of staff, in Ankara, 19 December 2024.

Spotlight | Ivory Coast
Air force in major drive to upgrade its underpowered fleet

The Ivorian air force recently procured four Soviet-type helicopters to boost security on the northern border. It is also negotiating a consignment of Chinese aircraft and is counting on closer cooperation with France.

Subscribers only Defence 20.03.2025

An Mi-24 helicopter during celebrations of the 64th anniversary of Ivory Coast's independence in Bassam on 7 August 2024.

Spotlight | Ivory Coast
Abidjan goes shopping for cybersecurity and intelligence systems

Amid tensions in the run-up to the presidential election, Abidjan has been looking to cyberintelligence specialists for help in boosting the capacities of its security services. As part of this drive, the gendarmerie recently procured two IMSI-catcher surveillance systems from an Israeli supplier.

Subscribers only Defence 06.03.2025

Ivorian Defence Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara in Port-Bouet military camp, Abidjan, on 20 February 2025.

In Focus | Senegal
Guns and oil drive Russia's Dakar courtship

Russia has been trying to strike a military agreement with Senegal since President Bassirou Diomaye Faye came to power this year. Vladimir Putin's African strategists are also seeking to forge closer economic ties with the country, under the watchful eye of France.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 04.11.2024

© Illustrated by Julien Pacaud. Photos: L. Marin/J. Wessels/Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool/AFP/Russian Defence Ministry

Spotlight | Senegal
Dakar orders audit of €120m Sall-era gendarmerie contract

The president and prime minister have commissioned a review of the contract for gendarmerie facilities under Macky Sall. It comes amid a wider push from the current government to call out unfair contracts.

Subscribers only Defence 10.10.2024

Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Macky Sall during the transfer of power on 28 March 2024 in Dakar.

Spotlight | Togo
Lomé turns to Turkish instructors and Paramount for military support

With security cooperation with the EU currently on hold, Togo is increasingly relying on Turkish military experts to help it safeguard its northern borders, as well as on the defence firm Paramount Group.

Subscribers only Defence 17.07.2024

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan is welcomed by his Togolese counterpart Faure Gnassingbé at the presidential palace in Lome on 19 October 2021.

Spotlight | Ivory Coast
Abidjan's fine financial balancing act for acquiring new arms

Plagued by budget shortages, the Ivorian General Staff is struggling to conclude certain purchases of strategic military equipment, a situation benefiting the Chinese military-industrial complex.

Subscribers only Defence 26.06.2024

Ivorian Army chief of staff General Lassina Doumbia in Jacqueville, Ivory Coast, 20 February 2022.

Spotlight | West Africa
From Dakar to Abidjan, Kyiv hones its African diplomacy

Ukraine is exploring new avenues for economic development in a bid to put an end to the neutrality of West African states in the Russo-Ukrainian war, while also trying to reinvent its previous security cooperation.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 05.06.2024

Ukraine's special envoy for Africa and the Middle East, Maksym Subkh, in Kyiv, on 17 May 2024.

Spotlight | DRC
Emiratis boost DRC army in fight against M23 rebels

The Congolese army is using new Emirati-made armoured vehicles to bolster its defences around the city of Goma, which is surrounded by M23 rebels. Cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Kinshasa has increased in recent months.

Subscribers only Defence 22.02.2024

A DRC armed forces (FARDC) military plane airborne in Goma, North Kivu, on 18 December 2023.

Spotlight | Egypt
Erdogan brings Turkish arms heavyweights to Cairo

The Turkish president's visit to Egypt after a decade of chilled relations signals a rapprochement between Ankara and Cairo, while talks with Turkish arms agency SSB should spur military-industrial cooperation.

Subscribers only Defence 14.02.2024

Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 11 November, 2023.

Spotlight | DRC
Beijing, privileged military partner of Kinshasa

China is ramping up its military and industrial presence in the DRC, driven by the Congolese military's substantial needs in its fight against M23 rebels in the east. In doing so, Beijing is also consolidating its long-established influence in the country.

Subscribers only Defence 24.01.2024

Felix Tshisekedi and Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 26, 2023.

Spotlight | Niger
Lake Chad states quietly mull Niamey's return to counter-insurgent force

Discussions among countries bordering Lake Chad are underway about Niger's participation in the military operations of the Multinational Joint Task Force, six months after a coup led to their suspension from its operations. Meanwhile, the EU has unlocked fresh defence funding.

Subscribers only Defence 23.01.2024

Nigerian units based in Niger, in May 2022.

Spotlight | Guinea
Abu Dhabi and Conakry close in on armoured vehicles for bauxite deal

The Emirati firm Streit Group is finalising a major contract to supply hundreds of armoured vehicles to Guinea's armed forces. Bauxite mining counterparties could be granted as part of the payment for the vehicles.

Subscribers only Defence 20.12.2023

Guinea President Mamadi Doumbouya in Ankara, Turkey, 3 June 2023.

In Focus | DRC
Kinshasa's thorny Kyiv-Moscow balancing act over armaments

The DRC is in negotiations with both Russia and Ukraine to equip its growing army as it steps up its fight against rebel groups in the East. With tensions high over the Ukraine conflict, and Kyiv showing a keen interest in the Congolese army's Soviet arsenal, Kinshasa is having to tread carefully between the two warring nations under the West's watchful eye.

Subscribers only Defence 02.10.2023

In Focus | Togo
Lomé's delicate bid for military and diplomatic balance between Moscow and the West

Togo, faced with increasingly frequent attacks by jihadists from the Sahel, wants to speed up acquisition of military equipment for its army. Faure Gnassingbé's government has turned to Moscow, purchasing attack helicopters, and is also getting help from Washington and London, much to France's chagrin.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 29.05.2023

Spotlight | Benin
Romuald Wadagni, the economy minister with a military brief

Patrice Talon has tasked his economy minster with procuring military helicopters to combat armed groups along Benin's northern border. International cooperation was recently added to Wadagni's duties too, and with the sacking of foreign minister Agbénonci, it looks like his prerogatives will be extended even further.

Subscribers only Defence 26.05.2023

Benin's economy minister Romuald Wadagni in Paris in October 2018.

In Focus | Senegal
Thierno Ba, friend to Macky Sall and key military equipment broker

In just a short years, Thierno Ndom Ba has established himself as one of Dakar's most sought-after military equipment brokers. With discretionary use of special funds from the presidency, the businessman has become a main supplier of Senegal's gendarmerie.

Subscribers only Defence 23.01.2023

In just a few years, businessman Thierno Ndom Ba, a close friend of President Macky Sall, has established himself as one of Dakar's most sought after military equipment brokers.

Spotlight | Mozambique, South Africa
South African army plagued by setbacks in Cabo Delgado

The SADC intervention force in northern Mozambique, to which South Africa is the main contributor, has suffered a series of setbacks, including logistical snafus, lack of intelligence gathering, and poor coordination with Rwandan and Mozambican troops.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 12.10.2022

A military convoy of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) rides along a dirt road near Pemba on 5 August 2021.

Gabon
Paris suspends sale of armoured vehicles to Republican Guard ahead of elections

Fearing repression during the 2023 presidential election, the French authorities have suspended the export of armoured vehicles to Libreville.

Subscribers only Defence 03.10.2022

In Focus | Africa, Russia
Senator Morozov, Moscow's go-to PR rep in Africa for Putin, Russian business and the FSB

Igor Morozov heads AFROCOM, an organisation that aims to facilitate Russian companies' access to African markets. He is increasingly present on the continent, making regular trips and waging an aggressive commercial diplomacy there.

Subscribers only Politics, Business, Diplomacy 26.09.2022

Senator Igor Morozov, ex-FSB colonel, in Saint Petersburg, Russia, 16 June 2022.

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Cameroon, Central African Republic
Between business and politics, the secrets of Antoine Ndzengue's rise

Senegal
Paris and Dakar mull defence relations

Maxime Paszkowiak

Spotlight | Senegal
Dakar's secret €300m arms contract

Spotlight | Ivory Coast
Air force in major drive to upgrade its underpowered fleet

Spotlight | Ivory Coast
Abidjan goes shopping for cybersecurity and intelligence systems

In Focus | Senegal
Guns and oil drive Russia's Dakar courtship

Spotlight | Senegal
Dakar orders audit of €120m Sall-era gendarmerie contract

Spotlight | Togo
Lomé turns to Turkish instructors and Paramount for military support

Spotlight | Ivory Coast
Abidjan's fine financial balancing act for acquiring new arms

Spotlight | West Africa
From Dakar to Abidjan, Kyiv hones its African diplomacy

Spotlight | DRC
Emiratis boost DRC army in fight against M23 rebels

Spotlight | Egypt
Erdogan brings Turkish arms heavyweights to Cairo

Spotlight | DRC
Beijing, privileged military partner of Kinshasa

Spotlight | Niger
Lake Chad states quietly mull Niamey's return to counter-insurgent force

Spotlight | Guinea
Abu Dhabi and Conakry close in on armoured vehicles for bauxite deal

In Focus | DRC
Kinshasa's thorny Kyiv-Moscow balancing act over armaments

In Focus | Togo
Lomé's delicate bid for military and diplomatic balance between Moscow and the West

Spotlight | Benin
Romuald Wadagni, the economy minister with a military brief

In Focus | Senegal
Thierno Ba, friend to Macky Sall and key military equipment broker

Spotlight | Mozambique, South Africa
South African army plagued by setbacks in Cabo Delgado

Gabon
Paris suspends sale of armoured vehicles to Republican Guard ahead of elections

In Focus | Africa, Russia
Senator Morozov, Moscow's go-to PR rep in Africa for Putin, Russian business and the FSB

Refine your search

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Indigo Publications' websites

Cameroon, Central African Republic Between business and politics, the secrets of Antoine Ndzengue's rise

Senegal Paris and Dakar mull defence relations

Cabo Delgado: a gas Eldorado and security nightmare

West African cocoa cartel battles with the traders

Makhzen Inc. or the ever more prosperous business empire of Mohammed VI's entourage

Maxime Paszkowiak

Spotlight | Senegal Dakar's secret €300m arms contract

Spotlight | Ivory Coast Air force in major drive to upgrade its underpowered fleet

Spotlight | Ivory Coast Abidjan goes shopping for cybersecurity and intelligence systems

In Focus | Senegal Guns and oil drive Russia's Dakar courtship

Spotlight | Senegal Dakar orders audit of €120m Sall-era gendarmerie contract

Spotlight | Togo Lomé turns to Turkish instructors and Paramount for military support

Spotlight | Ivory Coast Abidjan's fine financial balancing act for acquiring new arms

Spotlight | West Africa From Dakar to Abidjan, Kyiv hones its African diplomacy

Spotlight | DRC Emiratis boost DRC army in fight against M23 rebels

Spotlight | Egypt Erdogan brings Turkish arms heavyweights to Cairo

Spotlight | DRC Beijing, privileged military partner of Kinshasa

Spotlight | Niger Lake Chad states quietly mull Niamey's return to counter-insurgent force

Spotlight | Guinea Abu Dhabi and Conakry close in on armoured vehicles for bauxite deal

In Focus | DRC Kinshasa's thorny Kyiv-Moscow balancing act over armaments

In Focus | Togo Lomé's delicate bid for military and diplomatic balance between Moscow and the West

Spotlight | Benin Romuald Wadagni, the economy minister with a military brief

In Focus | Senegal Thierno Ba, friend to Macky Sall and key military equipment broker

Spotlight | Mozambique, South Africa South African army plagued by setbacks in Cabo Delgado

Gabon Paris suspends sale of armoured vehicles to Republican Guard ahead of elections

In Focus | Africa, Russia Senator Morozov, Moscow's go-to PR rep in Africa for Putin, Russian business and the FSB

Refine your search

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Cameroon, Central African Republic
Between business and politics, the secrets of Antoine Ndzengue's rise

Senegal
Paris and Dakar mull defence relations

Spotlight | Senegal
Dakar's secret €300m arms contract

Spotlight | Ivory Coast
Air force in major drive to upgrade its underpowered fleet

Spotlight | Ivory Coast
Abidjan goes shopping for cybersecurity and intelligence systems

In Focus | Senegal
Guns and oil drive Russia's Dakar courtship

Spotlight | Senegal
Dakar orders audit of €120m Sall-era gendarmerie contract

Spotlight | Togo
Lomé turns to Turkish instructors and Paramount for military support

Spotlight | Ivory Coast
Abidjan's fine financial balancing act for acquiring new arms

Spotlight | West Africa
From Dakar to Abidjan, Kyiv hones its African diplomacy

Spotlight | DRC
Emiratis boost DRC army in fight against M23 rebels

Spotlight | Egypt
Erdogan brings Turkish arms heavyweights to Cairo

Spotlight | DRC
Beijing, privileged military partner of Kinshasa

Spotlight | Niger
Lake Chad states quietly mull Niamey's return to counter-insurgent force

Spotlight | Guinea
Abu Dhabi and Conakry close in on armoured vehicles for bauxite deal

In Focus | DRC
Kinshasa's thorny Kyiv-Moscow balancing act over armaments

In Focus | Togo
Lomé's delicate bid for military and diplomatic balance between Moscow and the West

Spotlight | Benin
Romuald Wadagni, the economy minister with a military brief

In Focus | Senegal
Thierno Ba, friend to Macky Sall and key military equipment broker

Spotlight | Mozambique, South Africa
South African army plagued by setbacks in Cabo Delgado

Gabon
Paris suspends sale of armoured vehicles to Republican Guard ahead of elections

In Focus | Africa, Russia
Senator Morozov, Moscow's go-to PR rep in Africa for Putin, Russian business and the FSB