Russia has announced plans to establish 10 educational and skills development centres across key African countries by the end of 2028, along with blue economy hubs to strengthen cooperation in maritime technology and resource management.

The initiatives are part of Russia’s broader strategy to deepen economic, educational and technological ties with Africa through long-term partnerships.

Panellists from the Autonomous Non-Profit Organisation (ANO), representing sectors including education, maritime research, arts and culture, and technology, unveiled the plans at the Russia-Africa Media Forum in Moscow.

The forum, themed “Strengthening the Sovereignty through Strategic Partnership and Cooperation,” was held as part of activities surrounding the third Russia-Africa Summit.

President of Synergy Corporation, Vadim Lobov, said the proposed educational centres would provide comprehensive support for African students, from university selection and project-based courses to visa processing and employment opportunities.

“The mission of the centres is to become the main institute of support for African students of a full cycle, from the selection of universities and project courses to visa registration and support,” he said.

Lobov said the educational initiatives would be integrated into a digital platform developed in collaboration with IVA Corporation to guide students from their initial engagement through graduation and employment.

“Our task is to develop and cooperate on the African continent. Not short-term projects, but projects that are aimed at a long-term perspective,” he said.

He added that Synergy was seeking partnerships with African colleges, businesses and ministries of education to expand its activities across the continent.

Also speaking, Nikolai Shabalin, Director-General of the Centre for Marine Research at Lomonosov Moscow State University, said Russia was offering technologies to support the development of Africa’s blue economy, including offshore oil, gas and mineral exploration, port construction, underwater infrastructure, pipelines, shipping, fisheries and aquaculture.

He said the proposed technological hubs would support the development and localisation of Russian technologies in participating African countries, while promoting sustainable exploitation of marine resources.

“We plan to develop these technologies without undermining nature and its resources, in order to develop reclamation and tourism potential and leave nature and natural heritage for the next generation,” Shabalin said.

He said the initiative would also help African countries strengthen their energy, raw material and food security.

According to him, he is in discussions with the governments of Seychelles, Tanzania and Zanzibar to establish hubs tailored to their respective economic priorities.

“If it’s Seychelles, it’s tourism, aquaculture… If it’s Zanzibar, it’s offshore oil and gas resource development,” he said.

On cultural cooperation, Russian artist Alina Sanko said arts and culture were essential to building lasting relationships between Russia and African countries.

“When we talk about strategic partnership between states, most often, we talk about economy, energy, logistics, trade… But what will make us not just partners, but real friends? In my opinion, it’s culture and art,” she said.

Sanko, who presented a painting to Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan at RUDN University in June, said she had produced nine paintings depicting African leaders for the summit.

“Especially for this historic summit, I painted nine paintings depicting the leaders of the African continent,” she said, inviting participants to view the works, which incorporated symbols and traditions associated with the respective countries.

Similarly, Dmitry Shishkin, founder of SHISHKIN Group and Putin Team Brand, said Russia was seeking deeper economic integration with Africa, describing the continent as a fast-growing region with significant opportunities for industrial cooperation.

He said his company was promoting digital garment factory technology designed to improve the management of clothing development, production and supply, thereby increasing productivity and reducing production defects.

According to him, the model could combine Russian technological expertise with Africa’s raw materials and labour resources to strengthen local manufacturing.

Shishkin also said the company was developing adaptive clothing for people with disabilities and had produced clothing lines incorporating symbols of African countries.

“For the heads of all delegations who came to us for the third Russia-Africa forum, we have also prepared unique gifts made primarily of Russian materials, Astrakhan fluff, famous Russian fur… But in the aesthetics of each particular state,” he said.

The moderators said the proposed initiatives would be incorporated into the Russia-Africa Forum’s roadmap, with emphasis on localising production, training personnel jointly and promoting shared values between Russia and African countries.