UWC Vice President: Ukrainian embassies in Africa a key step toward ending information isolation

The expansion of Ukraine’s diplomatic presence in Africa is a critical step in overcoming what experts call “information isolation” – a systemic lack of access to accurate, diverse, and up-to-date information about Ukraine across much of the African continent. 

Dzvinka Kachur, UWC Regional Vice President for Africa and co-founder of the Ukrainian Association of South Africa (UAZA), emphasized the issue during a briefing hosted by Media Center Ukraine, according to the civic initiative’s website.

Kachur explained that “information isolation” in Africa manifests in limited understanding of Ukraine’s modern identity, political landscape, and global role. This vacuum has often been filled by outdated Soviet narratives or disinformation – especially in regions where Ukraine has minimal diplomatic or cultural engagement. 

She welcomed Ukraine’s recent decision to open nine new embassies across Africa marks as an “important decision” and a vital step in building direct communication channels.

“Media outlets can now reach out directly for official commentary, greatly enhancing opportunities for dialogue,” Kachur said.

She underscored the importance of building future relations with African nations built on shared development goals and innovation, rather than relying on historical comparisons to colonialism, which may not resonate with contemporary African audiences.

Kachur also pointed out that Russia had limited presence on the continent between 1991 and 2014 and pointed out a widespread lack of awareness about Ukraine in many African countries, particularly among young people.

“One of the major challenges is that Ukrainians are virtually absent,” she said. “This means the average resident of South Africa or Zimbabwe has no idea what Ukrainians look like, what they eat for breakfast, or how they dress. Ukraine remains terra incognita to them.”

This invisibility, Kachur warned, creates fertile ground for misinformation and harmful narratives to spread, especially as many Africans have never met Ukrainians — or, if they have, those were Soviet people. Today’s Ukraine is different, and a more visible diplomatic and cultural presence is essential to changing perceptions.

Dzvinka Kachur also hailed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent visit to South Africa as “a major milestone in Ukraine’s growing diplomatic engagement with Africa, which has gained momentum since 2022”.