Russian Universities Train African Students In Agrarian Specialties -By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

More than 2,000 African students are studying in Russian agricultural universities in the Russian Federation, according to the latest statistics made available, during a media conference held ahead of the third Russia-Africa Summit, explicitly underscoring Moscow’s preparedness to continue ensuring aspects of the continent’s food security. At the media conference, devoted to deliberating pathways to support Africa’s agriculture, especially training African specialists in modern forms of agronomy, mechanisation and agro-technology, experts named top-5 African countries by number of students studying in Russian agricultural universities. These are Cameroon, Mali, Algeria, Morocco and Chad.

Statistics Showing Clarity and Training
More than two thousand African students are being trained in agrarian specialties in Russian universities, subsidiary of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, Advisor to the Director of the Federal Center “Agroexport” Natalia Goncharova said at a press conference held inside TASS building. “Currently, 13,221 foreign students are studying in agrarian specialties in 44 universities under the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, including 2,467 African students, of which 53 percent on state scholarships, the remaining 47 percent on a a private contract or appropriately on commercial basis,” Goncharova said.

Giving further some detailed information about Africa, Goncharova explained that, by level of education – 1,063 students – bachelor’s degree, 418 – master’s degree, 172 – specialty, 76 – postgraduate, 40 – secondary special education. Another 698 students are trained at the preparatory faculty, where the main emphasis is on learning Russian language.

The top-5 African countries for the number of students studying in Russian agricultural schools include: Cameroon-698 students, Mali-243, Algeria-168, Morocco-162, Chad-25. At the same time, the key Russian agrarian universities training African students are Kuban, Kazan, St. Petersburg State Agrarian Universities, Moscow and St. Petersburg Agricultural Academies. State Agrarian University – Moscow Agricultural Academy. Timiryazeva. In total, 33 higher education institutions are involved in training African students, Goncharova said.

The Russia-Africa summits have set the roadmap to Africa, shifting the relations to include strengthening food security in Africa. The partnerships have gained new momentum, while preserving past experiences of successful cooperation, and further managing to make new steps forward. It is therefore crucial for young people to play a role in agricultural sector, and be fully involved in tackling existing obstacles and challenges.

The steady development of African countries in the last few years, together with growing populations and income levels are all factors helping to boost agricultural production. However, a considerable deficit of modern technology, lack of land suitable for farming, and a shortage of qualified personnel means that the needs of the African market have not been fully met. This, of course, called for further strategic steps, and training specialists, according to the speakers at the media conference.

Jospong Group As Special Case-Study
Related aspects of the discussion was based on an initiative taken by the Ghana’s Jospong Group of Companies to trained agrarian specialist at the Russian University RUDN on contract basis. The speakers, however, praised the initiative, underlined its importance for Russia-Ghana’s industrial and educational partnership in agriculture for the West African country.

On the first graduation of students group for the agricultural and environmental sectors of the Republic of Ghana, the transition of the project from the educational to the production phase, the export of Russian agricultural technologies and equipment, food security of African countries. The Memorandum of Understanding between RUDN and Jospong Group of Companies provides the condition for the training of 600 Ghanaian students over five (5) years in the areas of agribusiness, solid waste management and climate change. After training they are bonded to return and adapt Russian technologies in transforming the agricultural sector in Ghana, located in West Africa.

Background of Partnership and Sponsorship: According to information accessed, a total of 118 young Ghanaian students sponsored by the Jospong Group of Companies graduated from RUDN University in late June 2026, earning postgraduate degrees in agronomy and environmental sciences. Funded by the Jospong Group and facilitated through the Asian-African Consortium (AAC). The agreement was signed in February 2024, to train specialists in agronomy technology, integrated waste management, climate change, and environmental sciences over five years (2024-2029).

Moreover, Ghana has now become a unique case-study, building a reservoir of human resource and as an instrument for national development. Unlike traditional diplomacy championed by embassies and treaties, Jospong Group portrays a reputation of partnership and transfers technology of ecology, waste management and facilitating research collaboration. It is an invaluable asset, setting a classical model of contributing to national development. In an increasing world of connectivity, Ghana’s Jospong Group has further expressed the desire for participating in Russian partnership projects, highlighted Russian agricultural technology, education, and equipment as key drivers for bilateral cooperation.

Some of the key highlights included:

* Choice of Partner: Anita Owusu, manager of Russian projects for Jospong Group, stated that after exploring options in countries like China, Germany, and Thailand, they selected Russia following a 2023 visit where they evaluated Russian agricultural technology and equipment.

* Market Potential: Masamba Kah, head of industrial and educational partnerships with African countries, noted that Ghana imports $1.5 billion in rice annually. While Jospong Group holds a $400 million market share, an estimated $1.1 billion market potential remains open for Russian agricultural producers.

* Practical Delegations: Ghanaian delegations conducted hands-on visits to Russian industry sites, including the Rice Institute in Kuban and the Bogoroditsky Alliance, to observe local technology and farming operations.

Executive Director of the Association for Economic Cooperation with African Countries, Galli Monastyreva; Head of the Industrial and Educational Partnership with African Countries Project, Natalia Goncharova; Professor at the Agrarian Technological Institute of RUDN, Elena Pakina; Manager of Russian Projects, Anita Owusu; Kuban State Agrarian University, Tatiana Polutina; and Deputy Chairman of the Association of Potato and Vegetable Producers of Russia, Tatiana Gubina – all took active part in the discussion. The press conference was dedicated to Russian-African cooperation in the sphere of education, food safety and technology, which will also be panel’s discussion theme at the Russia-Africa summit scheduled for October 2026.