Russias Cultural Footprint in Africa: Expanding Influence Through Russian Houses

The curtains were closed, chairs arranged, and a projector descended. Over thirty individuals filled the cramped space as a video began to play.

It narrated a tale that Moscow has shared for years: the “return” of Crimea to Russia in 2014, highlighting the local support for the annexation and portraying the peninsula as a sought-after tourist location.

For many in attendance, the political dynamics of Russia’s conflict with Ukraine had minimal correlation to their everyday existence. However, at this branch of a cultural agency known as the Russian House, situated in Mali’s capital in West Africa, the focus was on imparting the Kremlin’s perspective on the matter.

As Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine continues into its fourth year, Moscow has become increasingly intent on building alliances and securing backing in non-Western nations.

Africa has emerged as the focal point of this initiative, with more than a dozen so-called Russian Houses established in key cities across the continent in recent years, as identified by a review from the Moscow Times that examined press releases, social media activity, and pro-Russian media.

These centers play a pivotal role in Russia’s diplomatic and cultural outreach to non-Western countries, a strategy that critics argue amounts to the dissemination of pro-Russian propaganda.

“The increase in Russian Houses that we’ve witnessed in recent years must be understood within this broader strategic context that Russia is pursuing,” stated Joseph Siegle, a senior research associate at the University of Maryland’s Center for International and Security Studies, to The Moscow Times.

During the Russia-Africa Expo in October, the head of Rossotrudnichestvo, the Russian cultural agency overseeing the initiative, mentioned plans to expand, revealing that agreements had been signed for 14 Russian Houses in various African nations.

The Moscow Times uncovered information indicating that both official and “partner” Russian Houses are currently operational or on the verge of opening in at least 22 African countries. However, none of the embassies of these nations in Washington responded to inquiries for comments.

Many of these establishments have their roots in cultural outreach programs from the Soviet era.

“Often, they occupy the very same buildings that housed them during the Cold War,” said Ivan Klyszcz, a research fellow at the International Center for Defense and Security in Tallinn, Estonia.

Historically, these institutions showcased national achievements, a goal that still subtly influences Russian public relations and diplomacy, particularly through these venues, Klyszcz noted.

It is not surprising that some of the most prominent Russian Houses are located in major cities of historical allies, such as Egypt and Tanzania.

Moreover, the establishment of a Russian cultural center can also signal improving relations.

In recent years, numerous agreements have surfaced with Sahel nations like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Chad, as well as sub-Saharan countries like Equatorial Guinea and the Central African Republic.

Yevgeniya Tikhonova, the head of the Russian House in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, conveyed to The Washington Post that the organization aims to demonstrate that Russians are not aggressors, but rather allies offering help and hospitality. She asserted that the organization is funded privately.

Burkina Faso, alongside other Sahel states, shifted its foreign policy following a military coup that ousted the pro-France government in late 2022. Russia has stepped in to provide humanitarian and military assistance to fill the gap.

In Equatorial Guinea, the recent announcement about a new partner Russian House being established in late 2024 coincided with reports of the Kremlin dispatching up to 200 military advisors to the nation to train the presidential guard of long-serving authoritarian leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

“Russia isn’t attempting to gain influence through conventional statecraft—such as increased investments, trade, or traditional security cooperation,” Siegle explained. “Instead, it’s employing asymmetric methods to exert influence beyond its conventional weight.”

“In that respect, Russia has succeeded in gaining some level of influence,” he added.

While Moscow aims to attract allies through military and political means, experts have informed The Moscow Times that Russian Houses provide a distinct type of appeal.

The concept of the Russian House—a platform for promoting a nation’s cultural presence abroad—has parallels in other countries. For example, China operates the Confucius Institute, Britain has the British Council, and Germany runs the Goethe-Institut, each with hundreds of centers.

In contrast, the reach of Russian Houses is relatively modest, with Rossotrudnichestvo claiming to manage 87 “foreign missions” across 71 nations.

Though the cultural centers often aim to propagate a Russian narrative regarding current events, this does not appear to be their sole objective.

Rossotrudnichestvo states that its primary focus is enhancing “Russia’s humanitarian influence globally.”

According to publicly available resources, this is largely achieved by providing language classes, organizing events related to Russian literature and history, and fostering the arts.

The Russian House in Alexandria, Egypt, frequently hosts musical and theatrical performances.

Last year in Tunisia, 400 local students took part in an exhibition centered on science and robotics.

Numerous centers also regularly conduct chess competitions.

However, perhaps the most enticing aspect of these cultural centers is their assistance in guiding individuals on studying in Russia—often supported by scholarships.

This month, Primakov, the head of Rossotrudnichestvo, announced government funding for more than 5,000 African students to pursue higher education in Russia.

According to Siegle, the availability of educational scholarships serves as a particularly compelling incentive for local engagement with the organization.

“For Africa, where young people encounter significant limitations regarding educational opportunities, these scholarships are greatly appreciated,” he remarked. “They have been received positively in Africa.”

Efforts to draw young Africans to Russia have also faced scrutiny from various analysts who argue that cultural and diplomatic outreach promotes job placements connected to Russia’s military efforts.

Philani Mthembu, director of the Institute for Global Dialogue in Pretoria, South Africa, shared with The Moscow Times that individuals from the region find themselves attracted to Russia for various motivations.

Some cherish their countries’ historical bonds with the Soviet Union, known for its support of decolonization in Africa. Others admire Russia’s perceived strength in the international arena and its status as a significant global player, especially following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

For Mthembu, the astonishment at Russia’s adeptness in forging new relationships reflects misunderstandings among Western officials regarding engagement with African counterparts.

In a recent conversation, Mthembu recounted an instance where a European Parliament member questioned, “Why would anyone be interested in Russia? Russia is a dictatorship with an unsophisticated economy,” and similar sentiments.

Mthembu countered that this represents a “blind spot” for the official.

“To assume that [Russia] would be of no interest to people who live in a continent where their nations don’t exercise complete sovereignty over their territories, where there are calls for a more substantial state role due to the absence of governance…”

He left the thought unfinished.

“In other parts of the world,” he concluded, “things are quite different.”