Pavel Prigozhin reportedly expands Wagner operations in the Central African Republic

Pavel Prigozhin was 25 when his father, Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, died after his private jet exploded in 2023. Three years later, The Wall Street Journal reports, the younger Prigozhin has kept hold of Wagner’s base in the Central African Republic and expanded its operations there.

The Journal’s account, based on interviews with former Wagner associates, government officials, business people and researchers in Bangui, says Pavel inherited an organization that mixed mercenary work with gold, opioids, brewing and vodka.

A security operation tied to business

Wagner’s presence in the Central African Republic predates Pavel’s leadership, and businesses linked to the group have pursued mining and other commercial interests.

In May 2024, Reuters reported that the U.S. Treasury sanctioned two Central African Republic companies over alleged Wagner ties and illicit mining activity. Treasury said Wagner and related companies had established a broad security and business network in the country. Those were U.S. government allegations, not findings by Reuters.