Russia Expands Educational Cooperation with Niger and Burkina Faso

Particular attention was paid to training personnel for critically important sectors of African national economies. The focus was primarily on the training and advanced education of engineering and scientific specialists, as well as teaching staff in the fields of energy, construction, oil and gas, mining and processing industries, and agriculture.

In Burkina Faso, representatives of the Center secured support for joint educational projects from the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, the Ministry of Secondary Education, Vocational and Technical Training, as well as the Ministry of Energy and the national oil company SONABHY. In Niger, prospects for cooperation were discussed with the leadership of the country’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.

African specialists expressed active interest in the educational programs of the Center’s partner universities—members of the Consortium of Russian Universities for the Development of Cooperation with African Countries, in particular leading technical universities of Siberia. One of the key topics was targeted education for African students in Russia, which will make it possible to train qualified personnel taking into account the needs of their countries and successfully employ them in relevant organizations upon their return home.

The issue of teaching the Russian language was also discussed—not only in schools and universities of Burkina Faso and Niger, but also in specialized groups where representatives of African ministries themselves could learn Russian. These initiatives will subsequently make Russian-African professional cooperation significantly easier.

In addition, the development of educational and scientific interaction between Russian and African universities was discussed in Niger with the leadership of Abdou Moumouni University, and in Burkina Faso with representatives of Baba Coulibaly University and the Higher Polytechnic School of Youth. Plans include the implementation of joint educational programs, organization of internships and seminars, development of academic exchanges and joint research projects, as well as consideration of including African lecturers and researchers in the Russian scientific and information space.

All meetings confirmed the strong interest of African partners in the further development of fruitful cooperation with Russia.

Representatives of the Russian diplomatic corps in Niger and Burkina Faso also supported the Center’s initiatives. The parties planned to join efforts in implementing new projects aimed at strengthening Russia’s ties with African countries.