Three agreements on joining RAFU were signed at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum was held on June 18–21, 2025. On June 19–20, three agreements on joining the Russian-African Network University (RAFU) were signed.

The rector of SPbPU, which coordinates the activities of the RAFU consortium, Andrey Rudskoy, signed an agreement on joining the Institute of Africa of the Russian Academy of Sciences to RAFU. The agreement was also signed by the director of the Institute of Africa, Irina Abramova.

“Currently, the consortium includes more than 90 Russian educational and scientific organizations and companies, and on the African side — 45 universities and organizations from 15 countries. The accession of the Institute of Africa to the consortium is very important because it is focused specifically on working with African countries, studying their history, culture, and everyday life. I am confident that our new partner will make a significant contribution to a deeper understanding of this continent and the peoples inhabiting it,” Andrey Rudskoy commented.

"It is a great honor for me to become a member of this network university, because Africa is, first and foremost, people. In 2100, 40 percent of the world's population will live in Africa, which means that a lot will change, and we need to prepare for this now," added Irina Abramova. "The most important thing is, what will the people who will make up 40% of the population be like? First of all, they must be educated, and they must be self-sufficient, but at the same time, they must preserve their culture and traditions. And it is precisely the preparation of such friendly elites who protect national interests and look to the future that the network university is engaged in."

An agreement was also signed between RAFU andthe Saint Petersburg State University of Economics. The documents were signed by the Chairman of the RAFU Presidium, Rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy, and Rector of UNECON Igor Maksimtsev. The Saint Petersburg State University of Economics, by agreement with the Ministry of Education and Science, will head the working group on the creation of mirror laboratories to assess the damage to African countries from colonialism.

"The Russian-African Network University is proud to welcome new members to its ranks. This event is of great importance. The main value lies in the professional activities of the University of Economics. The Ministry instructed us to conduct research to assess the economic and cultural damage inflicted on Africa by centuries of colonial rule. Our President rightly noted that Africa is the future of our planet and the most populated continent. Africa has enormous intellectual potential, which in the near future may occupy leading economic and intellectual positions. Our network university should contribute to this process," noted Andrey Rudskoy.

The Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartographyalso joined the RAFU consortium. The documents were signed by the Chairman of the RAFU Presidium, Rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy, and Rector of MIIGAiK Nadezhda Kamynina.

"MIIGAiK is joining the consortium universities to form new sustainable links between universities and organizations in Russia and African countries, to expand the areas of training personnel in the interests of sustainable development of African countries and priority sectors of their economy. Nature management and environmental protection, development of new management systems and protection of natural resources, development of "clean energy," preservation of cultural heritage - I am sure that we will be useful to each other in large educational and scientific-technological projects," - Nadezhda Kamynina.