How Russia is Trying to Attract African Students Russia's diplomatic efforts have long focused on expanding its influence across the globe, particularly in regions where Western powers are seen as anachronistic or hostile.
In Africa, Moscow is using a combination of soft power and economic incentives to lure students from across the continent.
The allocation of over 5,000 state funded university spots to African students in 2025 more than doubled the number of applicants received the previous year.