Russia Grants Full University Scholarships to African Students

In a recent announcement made during the Russia-Africa Expo 2025 in Moscow, Russia’s cultural diplomacy agency Rossotrudnichestvo revealed that more than 5,000 state-funded university places are being made available for students from African countries this academic year.

This year, Rossotrudnichestvo says it has received over 40,000 applications—about double the number submitted in the previous period. The largest numbers of applicants came from Sudan, Guinea, Ghana, and Chad. (The Moscow Times)

To deepen educational and humanitarian cooperation, Russia is expanding programs with five key African nations: Egypt, Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa, and Ethiopia. As part of this effort, the country plans to grow its network of cultural and education centers known as Russkiy Dom (“Russian Houses”) across the continent. Currently, 14 of these centers are operating in various African nations under signed agreements.

The Russkiy Dom centers serve multiple purposes: offering Russian language courses, supporting students in gaining access to Russian scholarships and universities, and generally promoting cultural and academic ties between Russia and African nations.

However, the expansion of these centers has not gone without criticism. Some observers claim that the centers are used by Moscow as instruments of hidden propaganda or disinformation in the countries where they are active.

Rossotrudnichestvo also announced plans to extend its scholarship offerings beyond Africa. In particular, Russia intends to increase state-funded university placements for North Korean students, and is prepared to consider free university spots for Afghan students—pending a “clear and transparent decision” by the Taliban regarding educational cooperation. (The Moscow Times)