Russia is broadening its influence in Africa by establishing more cultural and learning centres, as Moscow seeks to deepen relations with the continent beyond defence and security partnerships.
The new facilities, known as Russian Houses, will encourage the study of the Russian language while providing opportunities in education, science, arts and international exchanges.
Russia’s humanitarian agency, Rossotrudnichestvo, said eight of 11 planned centres would be established in African countries.
Sixteen Russian Houses are already operating across the continent.
The latest locations include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.
Two additional centres will be opened in Armenia, with another planned for Thailand.
The expansion comes as Moscow continues to increase its involvement in Africa, particularly in countries governed by military authorities.
Russia’s Africa Corps, which took over many of the activities previously associated with the Wagner Group, has become an important security partner for the military administrations of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso in their battle against jihadist groups.
The three West African states have moved away from France, their former colonial power, while French troops and other international forces have withdrawn from the region.
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali also ended in December 2023.
At the same time, concerns have emerged over the recruitment of Africans into the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Kenya has reported significant numbers of its citizens being drawn to Russia through employment offers before allegedly being sent to fight.
Moscow maintains that foreign nationals joined its forces willingly and in accordance with Russian legislation.
However, Russia agreed in March not to send Kenyan recruits to combat zones.
Rossotrudnichestvo chief Igor Chaika said the organisation was now seeking deeper and more sustainable connections through university opportunities, scholarships, language training, cultural programmes and student exchanges.
“We are significantly changing the programme itself,” Chaika said, adding that Russia wanted to increase both its activities and supervision.
He said Moscow was seeking “tangible results” from efforts to promote Russian language, education, scientific knowledge and culture.
Under the initiative, a new micro-grant scheme is expected to begin in 2027, providing financial assistance for projects involving education, culture, research, technology and young people in other countries.
The agency also plans to work more closely with local organisations capable of managing Russian Houses, with the aim of creating a wider international network.
Chaika said Russia was particularly interested in tailoring its educational programmes to the needs of individual countries.
If a nation required more medical professionals, for example, training would be directed towards producing doctors.
He further encouraged foreign students who receive education in Russia to return to their home countries and apply their expertise to national economic development.
Rossotrudnichestvo has also entered into an agreement with the Association for Economic Cooperation with African Countries (AECAS) to strengthen trade and business links.
AECAS was established in 2020 with the backing of Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of Moscow’s broader strategy of developing economic and diplomatic partnerships outside the Western bloc.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong