**Title: Russia Sees Surge in African Student Enrollment, Outpacing Soviet Era**
**Vladivostok, Russia** – At the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) held in Vladivostok, experts revealed that Russia is currently training a record number of African students, surpassing the figures seen during the Soviet Union era. Andrey Maslov, director of the HSE Center for African Studies, highlighted this significant trend during a session on Friday.
According to Olga Petrova, the Russian deputy minister of science and higher education, the enrollment of students from African nations in Russian universities has reached an all-time high of over 37,000 this year. This marks a substantial increase from approximately 17,500 students recorded in 2020, indicating a growing interest and investment in education from African countries.
The increase in African student enrollment can be attributed to expanded state-funded education opportunities, a policy that has been actively promoted by President Vladimir Putin. At the recent 2023 Russia-Africa Summit, the government outlined its commitment to enhancing educational ties with African nations.
In a notable development, the Russian government announced that the quota for Ghanaian students receiving government-funded education would nearly double from 120 to 240 places for the current academic year. This decision was confirmed by Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, reflecting the strengthening educational partnership between the two countries.
Beyond traditional university education, Russia is also focusing on training programs for African government officials. Maslov noted that the HSE Center for African Studies is collaborating with governmental agencies across more than 20 African countries, particularly in areas such as digitalization, financial monitoring, and cybersecurity. There is a growing demand among African governments for Russian expertise in these fields, as nations begin to systematically address their digital security needs.
"This is an area that African states are only just beginning to approach systematically in terms of understanding their role in protecting their national digital environments from external influence," Maslov stated, emphasizing the importance of these training programs.
Since its inception in 2022, the HSE Center's E-Governance Knowledge Sharing Program has been instrumental in providing training for African officials in the digitalization of public administration. The program's first major training session took place in Moscow in 2023, gathering over 40 mid- and senior-level officials from 23 African nations. The initiative has since expanded to include training activities on the African continent, with a notable e-governance training school held in Tanzania in May 2026.
The 11th Eastern Economic Forum, which runs from September 1 to 4, has attracted more than 7,000 participants from 78 countries and territories, showcasing Russia's commitment to fostering international cooperation and development. The theme of this year's forum, "The Far East – Development for the Benefit of People," underscores the focus on collaborative growth and mutual benefit among participating nations.
As Russia continues to enhance its educational and training programs for African students and officials, the partnership between Russia and African nations appears poised for further expansion, reflecting a strategic alignment of interests in education, governance, and digital security.