Russian House in Addis Ababa / Русский дом в Аддис-Абебе

Rossotrudnichestvo Expands Humanitarian Projects in Africa: How This Will Improve People’s Lives The third Russia–Africa Summit will take place in Moscow on 28–29 October. Representatives of 48 countries are expected to attend, including 22 countries represented by their heads of state. The President of Russia will hold more than 20 bilateral meetings. Alongside economic and energy cooperation, humanitarian ties will also be on the agenda. Rossotrudnichestvo is among the organisations working in this field. At the summit, the Agency’s Head, Igor Chaika, plans to meet with partners from African countries to strengthen existing ties and discuss new projects. How Rossotrudnichestvo Is Already Working in Africa Over the past three months, one of the key developments in Rossotrudnichestvo’s work across Africa has been the launch of partner Russian Houses. On 8 September 2026, Igor Chaika signed agreements to open 11 such centres, eight of them in African countries: Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Togo. A further 24 partner Russian Houses are already operating in 19 African countries. These centres will offer opportunities not only to learn the Russian language and explore Russian culture, but also to gain a deeper understanding of contemporary Russia. The Agency is placing particular emphasis on digitalising its centres, working with Russian IT companies and social media platforms. According to Chaika, the performance of partner Russian Houses will be assessed on the basis of tangible results, including the implementation of humanitarian projects. Starting in 2027, the Agency plans to strengthen this area through the introduction of a microgrant programme. Residents of African countries hosting official or partner Rossotrudnichestvo centres will also be able to propose their own initiatives and apply for funding to bring them to life. Rossotrudnichestvo’s work goes beyond opening new centres. In September, the Russian House in Cairo helped organise a meeting focused on strengthening ties between universities, cultural institutions and public organisations in Russia and Africa. In October, Rossotrudnichestvo and its partners prepared a cultural initiative for Brazzaville Day, sharing greetings to the city’s residents in Russian, French and Lingala. These projects complement the day-to-day activities of Russian Houses, from language courses and cultural events to joint humanitarian initiatives. What Does the Expansion of Russian Houses Mean for People in Africa? ▪️ For those interested in the Russian language, history and humanitarian initiatives: Russian Houses offer an opportunity to develop your interests, take part in international initiatives and contribute your own ideas. Your proposals may be considered for financial support. ▪️ For those planning their future and career: Learning Russian can help open up opportunities to apply to universities in Russia. ▪️ For those looking to expand their professional networks: Participation in joint educational programmes organised by Rossotrudnichestvo provides opportunities to meet new people and build valuable connections.