Russia Expands Soft Power Initiatives Across Africa

Russia has increased its soft power activities in Africa through religious, educational, and diplomatic initiatives in recent years, involving multiple sectors and countries across the continent.

The Russian Orthodox Church’s Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa was formed by the Holy Synod on December 29, 2021. By February 2025, this Exarchate included about 350 parishes in 34 African countries, supported by approximately 259 priests and 7 deacons.

Between 2022 and 2025, the church expanded its reach from four to at least 34 African countries, registering 350 parishes and deploying around 270 clergy. This expansion reflects a broadening of religious engagement across the continent.

Russia has also increased educational opportunities for African students by nearly tripling state-funded scholarship places since 2020, reaching over 5,300 spots. For the 2025-2026 academic year, 4,816 state-funded university places were allocated to African students, compared to 4,746 in the previous year.

What the numbers show

• 350 parishes established in 34 African countries by February 2025
• Over 5,000 state-funded university places allocated to African students for 2025-2026
• More than a dozen Russian House cultural centers opened, with agreements for 14 centers

Russian House cultural centers have been established in over a dozen African countries, with agreements signed for 14 centers and active operations reported in at least 22 countries. These centers serve as platforms for cultural engagement and outreach.

In February 2026, Russia redeployed about 100 diplomatic staff from European posts to African missions and planned to reopen around a dozen embassies on the continent. This move was accompanied by the creation of a new international relations department focused specifically on Africa policy.

Rossotrudnichestvo announced in October 2025 that Russia had allocated more than 5,000 state-funded university places for African students in the current academic year. This allocation is part of a broader effort to increase educational exchanges and foster bilateral relations.

Through these combined efforts in religion, education, and diplomacy, Russia has expanded its presence and engagement across Africa during the period from 2021 to 2026. These initiatives involve both institutional and governmental actions targeting a wide range of African countries.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.