麻豆社

Russia has been trying to grow its influence in Africa for years, with Russian paramilitary groups operating in countries such as Mali and Niger and Africans being recruited to fight in Russia鈥檚 war in Ukraine.

But it鈥檚 not just through soldiers and paramilitaries - Russia has now announced plans to open eight new cultural centres across Africa. The new centres are expected to open in countries such as Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal, and they will offer locals the opportunity to learn Russian, find out about Russian culture, and get help applying to study there.

So, why is Russia opening more of them? And are more young Africans interested in learning Russian?

The 麻豆社鈥檚 West Africa Reporter Makuochi Okafor explains why Russia is keen to build more influence on the continent - and the other countries it鈥檚 competing with. We also hear from Raphael, a student based in Lagos who鈥檚 learning Russian, about whether he鈥檚 seen more people wanting to learn the language.

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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Chelsea Coates and William Lee Adams
Editor: Verity Wilde