Study in Russia says more than 37,000 African students were in Russia in 2025-26 as officials gather in Moscow for a summit that includes education and science in its cooperation agenda.
The third Russia-Africa Summit is scheduled for Oct. 28-29. The accompanying Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum’s business program features more than 40 sessions and about 100 speakers, with discussions spanning education, science and skills transfer alongside trade, health care and technology. EconoTimes has also reported on Sudan’s delegation to the summit.
Government-funded places are one part of the education relationship. The Study in Russia portal says more than 4,800 African citizens received Russian Government Quota places in 2025, with tuition covered by the federal budget.
The portal’s longer-term tally includes more than 80,000 African graduates from Russian education programs between the 1950s and 2025. RUDN University said in November 2025 that it had 2,500 African students and had trained nearly 16,000 specialists for African countries.
Al Jazeera reported Oct. 28 that Zambian medical graduate Keturah Musonda received a Russian government scholarship that enabled her studies. Musonda also described how her experience with specialist medical care in Moscow influenced her views on health systems in African countries.
Al Jazeera also reported that Chinyama Kazombo, a Zambian medical student, hopes his training will help address Zambia’s need for qualified doctors. Kazombo described his continuing connection to Russia, telling the outlet, “Russia is already part of who I am.”
The summit series began in Sochi in 2019, followed by a meeting in St. Petersburg in 2023. Leaders agreed to hold the summits every three years, according to the summit site and the Egyptian Presidency.
The Russian Foreign Ministry expects participants to approve a final declaration and a 2027-29 action plan for the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, along with additional agreements.
