Business & Money
Young African Women Misled into Drone Production Jobs in Russia
A significant portion of this labor force is responsible for assembling drones, handling chemicals, and painting the products. In the first half of the year, 182 women were recruited, mainly from Central and East African countries, via a Facebook page promoting the Alabuga Start program. Recruiting events were also organized in Uganda, focusing on vulnerable groups like orphanages.
:Discover how young African women are being misled into drone production jobs in Russia, facing exploitation and false promises of better opportunities.
In a bid for a better future, young African women were lured by social media ads promising free plane tickets, financial incentives, and the thrill of an adventure in Europe.
The catch?
A simple computer game and a 100-word Russian vocabulary test.
What began as a hopeful journey soon turned into a grim reality for many who discovered, only after their arrival in Russia’s Tatarstan region, that they were destined for factory work—not the hospitality and catering careers they had envisioned.
Instead, they found themselves assembling Iranian-designed attack drones intended for warfare in Ukraine.
Interviews with these women conducted by The Associated Press revealed a harrowing experience marked by long hours, constant surveillance, and disillusionment with broken promises regarding wages and educational opportunities.
Some described exposure to harmful chemicals that left their skin irritated and pockmarked.
To address a pressing labor shortage amid wartime demands, the Kremlin has been recruiting women aged 18 to 22 from countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and even Sri Lanka.
This initiative is now expanding to other parts of Asia and Latin America.
In Tatarstan’s Alabuga Special Economic Zone, approximately 200 African women work alongside Russian vocational students, some as young as 16, in a facility crucial to Moscow’s weapons production.
One woman, who had given up her job back home for the Russian opportunity, remarked, “I don’t really know how to make drones.”
A Promising Start Turns Sour
The women arrived full of hope, documenting their journey with selfies at the airport and videos of in-flight meals, eagerly pointing to “Europe” on the in-flight map. However, upon reaching Alabuga, the grim reality set in.
“The company is all about making drones. Nothing else,” one woman lamented as she assembled airframes. “I regret and curse the day I started making all those things.”
A clue about their grim fate could be found in the vocabulary test they were required to take, which included terms like “factory” and the verbs “to hook” and “to unhook.” The working conditions were oppressive, characterized by extensive surveillance both at their dormitories and at work.
Their hours were long, and the wages were far lower than anticipated—an experience corroborated by three other women interviewed by AP, who remain anonymous for their safety.
Factory management reportedly seeks to deter the African workers from leaving. While some women have managed to leave or find other work in Russia, verification of these claims has proven difficult.
A Weapon Production Hub in Tatarstan
The Alabuga Special Economic Zone, established in 2006 to attract business and investment, has seen a significant shift toward military production since the onset of the Ukraine war.
In 2022, Russia and Iran signed a $1.7 billion agreement to supply unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for combat.
Production of these drones has moved from disassembled imports to full-scale manufacturing at Alabuga, where the goal is to produce 6,000 drones annually by 2025—an ambition that is already ahead of schedule with 4,500 units reported.
Finding labor has been a challenge. With unemployment at historic lows and many Russians already engaged in military activities or having fled abroad, Alabuga turned to vocational students and cheap foreign labor.
Experts note that Alabuga is unique in recruiting women from Africa, Asia, and South America for weapon production, with 90% of foreign women working on drone assembly—tasks that typically require minimal skill.
Recent reports indicate that the workforce is expected to grow from under 900 employees in 2023 to over 2,600 by 2025.
Much of this labor force is tasked with assembling drones, using chemicals, and painting the products. In the first half of the year, 182 women were recruited, primarily from Central and East African countries, through a Facebook page promoting the Alabuga Start program.
Recruiting events were even held in Uganda, targeting vulnerable groups such as orphanages.
Although the campaign does not specify why it focuses solely on young women, some analysts suggest that this demographic may be perceived as easier to control. Leaked documents indicate that assembly lines are segregated, using derogatory language toward the African workers.
Life Under Surveillance
The foreign workers travel by bus from their dormitories to the factory, navigating multiple security checkpoints.
The living quarters are heavily monitored, with entry controlled by facial recognition technology and round-the-clock surveillance.
The women are prohibited from bringing personal items like pets, alcohol, or drugs. While they are issued local SIM cards, these must remain outside the factory due to its sensitive military nature.
One worker noted, “I could only talk to an AP reporter with my manager’s permission,” while others reported that their messages were monitored and that they were discouraged from discussing work with outsiders. Workers were instructed to report on their colleagues, fostering an atmosphere of mistrust.
The drone assembly process exposes workers to hazardous substances without adequate protective gear, leading to painful skin reactions. “My God, I could scratch myself! I could never get tired of scratching myself,” one woman reported, highlighting the physical toll of their labor.
In addition to chemical hazards, the complex itself was targeted in a Ukrainian drone strike in April, injuring at least 12 workers. A video shared with AP featured a Kenyan woman condemning the attackers as “barbarians,” insisting that their efforts to intimidate were futile.
A Culture of Exploitation
While one woman expressed satisfaction with her job due to the pay and the opportunity to meet new people, the majority of those interviewed had a different perspective. Initially promised $700 a month, social media posts later revised this figure to “over $500.” With deductions for accommodation, airfare, medical care, and language classes, many struggled to cover basic expenses.
The women described their treatment as “maltreated like donkeys, being slaved.” Compounded by banking sanctions against Russia, sending money home has become increasingly difficult.
Although some managed to send back small amounts, the financial burden weighed heavily on many.
Long shifts lasting up to 12 hours with unpredictable days off became the norm. Yet, two women working in the kitchen remained hopeful, willing to endure hardships if it meant supporting their families.
Wages have been a growing concern, leading to lower morale among workers. Plant managers have expressed a desire to replace foreign workers with Russian-speaking staff, as candidates increasingly refuse low salaries.
Russian and Central Asian students at Alabuga Polytechnic have reported being allowed to return home, while vocational students wishing to quit must repay tuition costs.
Despite repeated attempts by AP to reach the Russian Foreign Ministry and officials from Tatarstan for comment on the workers’ complaints, no responses were received.
Human rights organizations expressed ignorance regarding the factory’s operations but noted that such recruitment practices align with Russia’s broader pattern of exploiting foreign labor.
The International Implications
Russia’s strategy has allowed for a dramatic increase in drone production capabilities. Nearly 4,000 drones were launched in Ukraine from February 2022 through 2023, with nearly double that number in the first half of this year alone.
Despite the Alabuga plant’s production goals being met, concerns remain about the quality of the drones produced, as manufacturing issues tied to unskilled labor may lead to malfunctions.
An analysis of 2,000 Shahed drone attacks documented by Ukraine’s military reveals a troubling trend: about 95% of these drones fail to hit their intended targets. Many end up crashing into Ukraine’s fields, straying into NATO member Latvia, or falling within Russian territory.
Experts attribute this high failure rate not only to improved Ukrainian air defenses but also to the potential lack of craftsmanship stemming from a workforce that may not have the necessary training or experience.
In response to these alarming developments, the Alabuga Start recruiting campaign continues, buoyed by a polished social media presence that presents an enticing, albeit misleading, narrative. Women are drawn in by promises of opportunity and adventure, unaware that they may become unwitting participants in a machinery of war.
Keywords:African women exploitation:Drone production jobs:Russia job market:False promises:Youth employment challenges
Business & Money
KCB Group Surpasses Equity with US$ 342.31 Million Nine-Month Profit
: KCB Group reports Sh44.5B ( US$ 342.31) nine-month profit, outpacing
Equity Bank. Learn about its 49% growth, challenges, and stock performance this
year.
KCB Group Plc has outperformed Equity Bank to cement its position as Kenya’s leading
lender, posting a net profit of Sh44.5 billion for the nine months ending September
This represents a 49% year-on-year growth, surpassing Equity Bank’s Sh37.5
billion profit during the same period.
Profit Growth Driven by Core Business Performance
The remarkable profit growth was fueled by higher earnings from both interest and non-
interest income streams. KCB’s diverse revenue base has been pivotal in maintaining
its dominance in the competitive banking sector.
Non-Performing Loans a Key Concern
Despite the impressive profit growth, KCB’s non-performing loan (NPL) ratio rose to
18.5%, compared to 16.5% last year. This increase highlights persistent challenges in
managing credit risk, with Chief Financial Officer Lawrence Kimathi acknowledging it as
a “pain point” for the bank.
KCB Stock Outshines Peers on NSE
KCB’s strong financial performance has translated into exceptional stock market results.
The bank’s stock has risen 78.8% year-to-date, making it the best-performing banking
stock on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).
Plans to Sell National Bank of Kenya
Earlier this year, KCB announced plans to sell its struggling subsidiary, National Bank of
Kenya (NBK), to Nigeria’s Access Bank. While Nigerian regulators have approved the
deal, it is still awaiting clearance from Kenya’s Central Bank. The sale aims to
streamline KCB’s operations and address losses at NBK.
CEO Paul Russo Optimistic About Year-End Performance
“The journey has not been without its hurdles, but our ability to walk alongside our
customers has driven our success,” said KCB CEO Paul Russo. He expressed
confidence in closing the year on a high note, leveraging improving economic conditions
across the region.
Key Figures at a Glance
● Net Profit: Sh44.5 billion (+49%)
● Non-Performing Loan Ratio: 18.5% (up from 16.5%)
● Stock Performance: +78.8% year-to-date
KCB’s strong performance underscores its resilience in navigating challenges and its
commitment to sustaining growth in Kenya’s banking sector.
Business & Money
Top 10 Kenyan banks by total assets as of 2023, based on data from the Central Bank of Kenya:
KCB Bank Kenya Limited
Total Assets: KSh 1.425 trillion
Market Share: 17.4%
Equity Bank Kenya Limited
Total Assets: KSh 1.004 trillion
Market Share: 12.2%
NCBA Bank Kenya PLC
Total Assets: KSh 661.7 billion
Market Share: 9.2%
Co-operative Bank of Kenya
Total Assets: KSh 624.3 billion
Market Share: 8.8%
Absa Bank Kenya PLC
Total Assets: KSh 520.3 billion
Market Share: 6.6%
Standard Chartered Bank Kenya
Total Assets: KSh 429.3 billion
Market Share: 5.9%
Stanbic Bank Kenya
Total Assets: KSh 449.6 billion
Market Share: 5.8%
I&M Bank Limited
Total Assets: KSh 405.6 billion
Market Share: 5.4%
Diamond Trust Bank Kenya
Total Assets: KSh 399.6 billion
Market Share: 5.3%
Bank of Baroda (Kenya) Limited
Total Assets: KSh 201.9 billion
Market Share: 2.8%
These rankings illustrate the dominance of large Tier 1 banks, which collectively control over
76% of the market share. Strategic expansions, increased deposit mobilisation, and robust
lending practices underpin the sector’s strong performance
Business & Money
Vasundhara Oswal’s Legal Struggles and Family’s Plea for Justice
: Vasundhara Oswal, daughter of industrialist Pankaj Oswal, faces serious
charges in Uganda. The Oswals call for UN intervention amid claims of corporate
jealousy.
Vasundhara Oswal, the 26-year-old daughter of prominent Swiss-Indian industrialist
Pankaj Oswal, has found herself at the centre of a legal storm in Uganda.
Her father, a well-established business figure, is known for his diverse investments,
most notably a $150 million ethanol plant in Uganda.
This plant, the largest of its kind in East Africa, is a key part of Oswal’s broader strategy
to invest in industrial and eco-friendly solutions in the region. The facility produces extra-neutral alcohol (ENA), which is used in the beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.
It is recognised for its modern technology and sustainable practices, such as zero liquid
discharge, emphasising the Oswal family’s commitment to both industrial growth and
environmental responsibility.
In addition to the ethanol plant, Pankaj Oswal has made strategic investments across
various industries, including petrochemicals, agriculture, and real estate.
His ventures reflect a global reach, extending to Australia and India, where he has
been involved in industries ranging from agriculture to renewable energy.
His diversified business approach and commitment to sustainability have made him a prominent figure in international business. However, in October 2024, the family’s legacy was overshadowed by the legal troubles surrounding Vasundhara Oswal.
She was detained on October 1, 2024, after being accused of involvement in the
alleged murder of Mukesh Menaria, a former employee who had worked with the
Oswals since 2017.
Menaria had accused the family of harassment but later testified under oath that they
had not harmed him Despite this, charges of kidnapping and murder were brought against Vasundhara.
Her family has strongly denied these allegations, claiming that the charges are
politically motivated and part of a larger conspiracy orchestrated by their business rivals
in collaboration with corrupt officials in Uganda.
The Oswals have appealed to the United Nations, seeking intervention and asserting
that the legal proceedings against Vasundhara are unlawful. Vasundhara has actively managed the family business throughout her career, especially the ethanol plant, and led the company’s sustainable initiatives.
Beyond her business involvement, she has also been an advocate for community
welfare and mental health, further cementing the Oswal family’s reputation for corporate
social responsibility.
The unfolding legal drama has raised important questions about the intersection of
business, politics, and the legal systems in Uganda.
While the Oswal family’s ventures reflect a blend of industrial innovation and social
responsibility, the legal challenges Vasundhara faces have cast a shadow over their
business empire, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in East Africa.
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