Yekaterinburg: The number of African students pursuing their studies in Russia has more than doubled in five years, rising from 17,500 in 2020 to more than 37,000 in 2026, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Tuesday.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Zakharova shared these statistics at the International Youth Festival in Yekaterinburg. She emphasized that "more than 37,000 African students are currently studying at Russian universities," marking a significant increase from 17,500 in 2020. Zakharova also highlighted that more than 10 billion rubles have been allocated in the Russian federal budget for 2026 to support quotas for foreign students, with the African region being prioritized.

The geographical distribution of African students in Russia has broadened beyond Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Students are now also studying in Kazan, Tomsk, Yekaterinburg, and Novosibirsk, with the Krasnodar region garnering increased interest as well.

The International Youth Festival in Yekaterinburg, running from September 11 to 17, is held under the theme "Follow your dream." It is expected to host 10,000 young leaders from 191 countries, with an equal split of 5,000 participants from Russia and 5,000 from other nations. Additionally, a thousand teenagers aged 14 to 17 are also participating in the festival's program.