Nigeria, Sept. 8 -- Late last year, the world was alerted to the disturbing news that Russia was recruiting hundreds of young African women, aged 18-22, to manufacture drones in a military-industrial compound 1,000 km east of Moscow, called the Alabuga Special Economic Zone. The reports also stated that the recruits-from at least fifteen African countries-were promised good salaries and skills training, but once there, they were often trapped, facing tax deductions, dangerous working conditions, strict surveillance, and difficulties returning home.

In the past six months, a team from ZAM and NAIRE in seven African countries investigated the Russian recruitment exercise, asking why so many young Africans take the chance to go, sometimes e...