A Russian cryptocurrency network, A7, is expanding into West Africa, posting a job for a project manager to launch a business from scratch in Togo. The company, run by fugitive oligarch Ilan Șor and state‑backed bank Promsvyazbank, seeks to create a sanctions‑resistant payment corridor.

A7’s westward move follows its recent openings in Nigeria and Zimbabwe, where the firm claims to handle up to 19% of Russia’s foreign trade. Moscow’s strategy is clear: bypass the western‑controlled SWIFT system and keep roubles flowing to allies, especially after the full‑scale invasion of Ukraine cut Russian banks from global finance.

Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov framed A7 as the country’s first international financial platform, noting that 84% of trade with African states ran in roubles last year. By embedding A7 in African economies, Russia aims to lock in stable, dollar‑free settlements for commodities and military supplies.

For investors, A7’s expansion underscores a growing niche market for alternative payment infrastructures. The network’s success could reshape cross‑border trade flows, especially in regions where U.S. sanctions pressure traditional banking channels.