Russia’s growing influence in Africa, encompassing military, economic, and social cooperation, shows no signs of slowing down, a trend underscored by an Egyptian official’s assessment that the Russian language may soon gain broader adoption within his nation.
- Egyptian universities plan to increase Russian language studies nationwide as part of their curricula.
- Currently, 12 universities in Egypt have a Russian language department, according to the Egyptian higher education ministry.
- Educational and cultural initiatives promoting the Russian language and culture are being established across African countries.
- Programs like the Russian Language Center in Niger aim to foster Russo-African cooperation in education and culture.
Saleh Hashem, advisor to the Egyptian minister of higher education, recently revealed to the state-owned Russian media publication, Sputnik, that more tertiary institutions are likely to adopt Russian studies.
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According to the minister, more universities are set to install a Russian language department, incorporating the language into their syllabi.
“There are Russian language departments in 12 universities in Egypt,” Saleh Hashem, advisor to the Egyptian minister of higher education, told Sputnik on the sidelines of the International Week of the Russian Language in Africa educational forum in Cairo.
The minister further revealed that the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education projects that Russian studies will be introduced at higher institutions in every province.
Moscow State Linguistic University and the Russian humanitarian organization Rossotrudnichestvo established the International Week of the Russian Language in Africa educational initiative in Cairo on Tuesday.
Russian language scholars from sixteen African countries will talk about current teaching challenges at the meeting, which runs until Thursday.
Similar Russian initiatives in Africa
Egypt’s plan to teach the Russian language and culture in its universities is hardly the first of such initiatives in Africa.
In March, the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN), in partnership with Niger’s and Russia’s government inaugurated the Center for Russian Language and Culture, also known as the “Russian Space” in Niamey, Niger’s capital.
The statement released to this effect read, “The center sets itself ambitious goals, including the development of educational programs for children and adults studying the Russian language, conducting scientific, methodological and educational events, as well as educational work.”
A few months later, in May, Niger also decided to collaborate with Russia on the establishment of a non-governmental organization, which was intended to strengthen cooperation between the Russian and Niger people.
In September, a new Russian House, a center for cultural interaction between Russia and its African allies, was inaugurated in the West African country of Chad.
The institution houses Chad’s largest collection of Russian literature, with over 200 books, positioning itself as a key hub for the spread of Russian culture and knowledge.
The Russian Houses, which are cultural institutions run by the humanitarian charity Rossotrudnichestvo, promote the Russian language, culture, and educational programs in Africa.
In February 2025, Russia launched its editorial center in Ethiopia.
The news hub, located in Addis Ababa, is the first large-scale, multi-functional editorial center established by a Russian media company on the continent.
Following the launch, plans were immediately put in place to generate Amharic and English-language content for radio, internet, social networks, and applications, as well as correspondent work with the African Union.
