How Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Son Inherited and Expanded the Wagner Empire in Africa
Following his father's death, 28-year-old Pavel Prigozhin has successfully expanded the Wagner Group's multi-million dollar mercenary and smuggling empire in Africa.
KAMPALA, Uganda — Pavel Prigozhin was still learning the ropes of the family mercenary business when his father’s private jet exploded at 28,000 feet over Russia. The high-profile death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, following a public falling-out with Russian President Vladimir Putin, left 25-year-old Pavel at the helm of the world's most notorious mercenary organization. Inheriting the Wagner Group, Pavel now oversees an empire of fighters, gold smugglers, opioid traffickers, breweries, and vodka distilleries.
Expanding the Empire
Once viewed as a spoiled playboy, Pavel Prigozhin, now 28, has demonstrated a natural talent for business management. According to former insiders, government officials, business figures, and researchers in the capital of Bangui, he has not only preserved Wagner’s operations in its African stronghold of the Central African Republic but significantly expanded them.
The Prigozhin family business operations, encompassing both legal and illicit activities, generate upwards of $400 million annually, according to estimates by the Geneva-based Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC). From its base in Bangui, Pavel and a 500-strong mercenary force under his command have seized control of lucrative gold mines, provided personal security for President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, and fought rebel groups, cementing their indispensable status.
The Shadow of the Kremlin
While the Kremlin moved to absorb Wagner assets inside Russia after Yevgeny Prigozhin's death, establishing the Africa Corps under direct military intelligence control, Pavel managed to carve out an autonomous niche in Africa. Meeting with local commanders like Dmitry Utkin’s former associates, Pavel secured President Touadéra's backing to maintain Wagner's presence, dodging direct integration into Russia's official military apparatus.
Under his leadership, Wagner has deepened its involvement in smuggling networks, drug trafficking, and gold extraction, diverting shipments through third countries like Belarus to evade international oversight. Despite operating in the shadows, the young commander has successfully navigated the delicate balance between defying absolute Kremlin control and maintaining vital logistical lifelines.
