How does Russia benefit from attracting African students? | DW News

As well as the war in Ukraine, Russia's influence is being felt in western Africa. Countries fighting domestic terrorism such as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have turned to Moscow for help. The Kremlin has also started an aggressive campaign to attract more African students to Russia. Our correspondent Fanny Facsar reports from the Nigerian capital Abuja.

For more on this, we talk to Beverly Ochieng. She is a security analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and joins us from Dakar in Senegal.

00:00 Russia's influence in western Africa
04:20 Interview with Beverly Ochieng

Follow DW on social media:

#Russia #WestAfrica #Influence

[mahamadoutraore]

African students have been going to Russia (soviet union) since the 60’s. So there is nothing new here. There is even a university named after one of the African great leaders Patrice Lumumba in Moscow.

[kz-xvou]

What is brain drain when Russia is the one educating them with scholarship. Thousands of Nigerians are studying in British universities often without scholarship . Is that not brain drain?

[comrade]

Russia didn't murder African like Germany did in namibia thats why

[KAMARAFAMILY]

You don’t have any news again. I have live in Russia as a student for 6 years now. Their education system is very strong . Guys come and study in Russia . You will enjoy your stay. Before coming to Russia 7 years ago I applied for USA, uk and other west countries but they reject my visa application. Even when I have my fees and enough money in my account to take care of me for 4 years.

[bernardwanjohi]

The German embassy in my african country is in the frontline enticing all the best doctors and engineers we have but they're concerned when africans go to Russia, interesting.

[lukmanhackim]

West is very upset African student going to Russian 😂😂😂

[mbenembene]

Dear DW could you please stop reporting nonsense like Africa is one country: I am Southern African. Stop mixing us into these `African and Russia`rubbish. We have a totally different mindset of politics, religion, culture, language. et

[daniels]

African students have been choosing to pursue their education in Russia for decades, particularly in the fields of medicine and engineering. What I know is that after completing their studies, many graduates return to their home countries to work as doctors or surgeons, using their Russian education to secure higher-paying jobs. Few try to find employment in Russia or elsewhere. Although I wasn't aware of the scholarships available, I've heard that one reason students opt for Russia is the favourable cost compared to other countries. Ukraine has also marketed to African students for over a decade and is a popular choice, with a strong recruitment effort, but it still doesn't attract as many students as Russia. Poland might also be a consideration for some. It seems that the only new development is the potential interest of some students in joining the military. Perhaps there are some incentives for that now, but I can't say for sure.

[JosephHoggang-bkbk]

Africans should also go and work in Russia.

[mrtidehunter]

I do not know how Russia treats people from African countries but I can assure that the way Russia treats Central Asian people is intolerable.

[MWENDA-vvim]

1:05 This is absolute nonsense!!! Absolute nonsense!!! No one in their right mind would ever chose studying in Ukraine over studying in Russia. Ukraine's education system has always been much worse than Russia's.

[SaeedIbrahim-icfr]

We support AES and Russia 🇷🇺 in Africa

[nickmumba]

My friends scripted to the army and now starving in the so called special war and lost their lives. Nothing for good really.

[HorsePower]

The great motherland Russia is unstoppable and unbeatable no matter how much America cries 🤣

[fred]

Why always use such tactics ? You select only rural areas to show your public but omit the devolved areas.

[Delgwah]

The fact is when your brain leaves the place that needs you, it is so very hard to get back.
Strength and love.

[howaterbrd]

Africans have been going to Russia for decades, helping Africans defeat German supported Apartheid and neo colonialism.

[masterlightjames]

Why don't you guys mind your business or better still, do a piece on why there are African students in Germany

[adne]

*Russia🇷🇺 need new President. Vladimir Putin 20 years in office President.*

[adufro]

This is a lie Cos I know years ago there were lots of students going to Russia to study medicine so it’s not after the war it’s always been there. Even lots go to Cuba so what is new