Before they become doctors or space engineers, they learn Russian in Africa

5,000 graduates from Soviet and Russian universities are making a difference back home in Tanzania

There are many facets of the friendship between Russia and Tanzania, but perhaps the most significant is in the realm of education. Over many decades, thousands of Tanzanian students have benefited from scholarships and specialized training offered by the Russian government, stretching from Soviet times to today.

Daria Ilienko, the acting director of the Russian Cultural Centre, shared a remarkable statistic with RT: “The Russian government has long provided opportunities for higher education, and today, over 5,000 graduates are making a difference in their communities back home since the Soviet era.”

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Russia has a rich history in astronomy and space exploration, having been the first country to send a human into space in April 1961 when it was part of the Soviet Union. It also launched the world’s first satellite, Sputnik 1, in 1957.

Against this strong background, Tanzanian students have an opportunity to study astronomy and space technology in Russia. This comes at a time when Tanzania is planning to establish a space agency and launch its own satellite to enhance communications, defense, security, research, disaster management, and weather forecasting.

Another key area of study for Tanzanian students is agriculture, particularly fertilizer production. Russia is one of the world’s top fertilizer producers, competing closely with China, Canada, and Morocco. Tanzanian students are also exploring medicine, engineering, and information technology in Russia.

Recalling the USSR

Bernard Sepetu, one of Tanzania’s early elites educated in the USSR, earned a Master of Science in Electronics from the Polytechnic Institute in the 1970s and was among the first Tanzanian students to come to the USSR. He recounts his transformative journey during his time in Russia, highlighting the rich experiences he had with the language and culture during his stay in Moscow.

Upon arrival, Bernard faced a daunting challenge: a complete lack of familiarity with the Russian language. Despite his multilingual background, which included Kiswahili, English, and his native language, the Cyrillic alphabet and Russian phonetics were entirely new to him.

“When the plane touched down, it carried about 100 eager Tanzanian students, ready to embark on their studies in the Soviet Union – a country famed for its educational aid to African nations during that era. We were brimming with excitement, unaware of the linguistic storm that awaited us,” Sepetu recalls.

“I had been taught that English was a global lingua franca, save for a few French-speaking enclaves. So, I naturally assumed that Russian, too, would have some semblance of English.

“Imagine my surprise when the very first Russian official directing us on the plane spoke not a word of English. I could not decipher a single phrase he uttered. The only Russian word I encountered was ‘tuda’, which I later learned meant ‘move.’ It was both confusing and fascinating, like discovering a new world through a cryptic code.”

“Stepping out of the plane and into Moscow was like entering a new world,” Sepetu continues. “The skyline was adorned with magnificent, ornate buildings and the streets thrummed with a vibrancy I had never seen before. Yet, amidst this breath-taking beauty, the language remained an enigma.”

Daily life in Moscow was a complex tapestry of gestures and improvisation. Communication often boiled down to non-verbal cues and trial-and-error exchanges. At the local market, Sepetu and his fellow students devised a method to manage transactions despite their limited Russian.

“We received around 90 rubles for daily expenses, but understanding the cost in shillings was tricky. To simplify things, we would give the cashier 10 rubles and receive change. If we needed to make a small additional purchase, managing the payment became a challenge. Nevertheless, the cashiers were always generous and honest, ensuring we received the correct change,” Sepetu reflects.

Realizing the need for learning Russian

The Soviet educational system soon recognized the need for a more structured approach to language learning. Sepetu and his peers were immersed in a year-long language course, dedicated entirely to learning Russian. This immersive environment was critical for their academic success, as all lectures and interactions were conducted in Russian.

Sepetu’s perseverance and the support from his Russian hosts – particularly through social gatherings and friendships – played a significant role in his language acquisition. “Weekends were often filled with gatherings where we mingled and made friends. These interactions fueled our desire to learn Russian more quickly,” Berbard notes.

By the end of the year, Sepetu had achieved a functional grasp of Russian, enabling him to engage effectively with both students and professors. His return to Tanzania in the late 1970s saw him leveraging his Russian language skills in his role at the Russian Cultural Centre.

Although his proficiency waned initially, his work in translating academic transcripts and later literary works for Tanzanian students seeking admission to Russian universities kept his skills sharp.

“The process of translation involved meticulous attention to detail. I relied on dictionaries, extensive reading, and clarifications for unfamiliar expressions. With guidance from the Centre, I was able to navigate these challenges,” Sepetu explains.

How it is today

By contrast, Boniface Assenga’s experience offers a contemporary glimpse into studying Russian, reflecting both the evolution of educational practices and the enduring challenges of language acquisition. As a projects manager at the Russia’s Cultural Centre of the Russian federal agency for international cooperation, ‘Rossotrudnichestvo’, Assenga embarked on his academic journey with a clear goal: to pursue his dream of becoming a scholar in Russia.

Assenga, who studied economics in Russia from 2005 to 2011, began his journey with an intensive year-long language course. The course, supplemented by seminars and small-group classes, provided targeted assistance and clarified complex concepts. Despite the initial difficulties, Assenga’s dedication and the supportive environment at the educational institutions played a crucial role in his progress.

“Learning Russian was initially challenging, but the seminars and follow-up classes offered invaluable support. The small groups and attentive lecturers made a significant difference in grasping difficult concepts,” Boniface recalls.

Over nearly five years in Russia, Assenga’s proficiency in Russian continued to evolve. Daily interactions with native speakers and participation in various events at the center helped him further refine his language skills.

“Even after my initial year of intensive learning, Russian remained a work in progress. Conversations with guests at the center and everyday interactions were essential in expanding my knowledge and improving my fluency,” he says.

Learning Russian in Tanzania

To address the challenge of language for the first timers in Russia the center has made a lot of strides to teach students the Russian language before they come to Russia for studies.

Assenga told RT that recently they have been organizing a program in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania for successful candidates where they undergo an eight-month Russian language course at a cultural center to prepare them for their studies and facilitate their integration into Russian society.

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“It’s essential for students to study the Russian language for eight months because all communication and coursework will be conducted in Russian. Proficiency in the language will also help students secure temporary jobs, providing additional income during their studies,” Assenga emphasizes. 

This scholarship initiative not only highlights the ongoing educational collaboration between Russia and Tanzania but also aims to equip the next generation of Tanzanian leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive the country’s development.

Russian scholarships

Last summer, Russia announced 90 scholarships for Tanzanian students, providing an opportunity to study at some of the nation’s leading universities. Boniface Assenga told RT that 90 students had already travelled to Russia to pursue their studies in the universities of Tula, Tomsk, and St. Petersburg, after being admitted for the 2024-2025 academic year.

“This is a fully funded scholarship, covering all tuition costs for the duration of their studies – whether three, four, or five years – fully paid by the Russian government,” Assenga says.

The initiative not only reflects the enduring partnership between the two nations but also highlights the transformative power of education. “We are not taking the best brains [away] from Tanzania; rather, we are fostering their development so that the knowledge they gain abroad can be applied to benefit Tanzania,” Daria Ilienko explains.

Boniface Assenga clarifies that while the scholarships cover full tuition, they do not include travel expenses, accommodation, meals, or local transportation.  To be eligible for the scholarships, applicants must meet certain academic criteria. Students who have completed their A-levels must have achieved a minimum of Division II, while those seeking to pursue a bachelor’s degree must have a diploma with a GPA of at least 3.5. For master’s candidates, a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.5 or higher is required, and PhD applicants must possess a master’s degree with the same GPA threshold.

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Applications for scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year are now open. Once prospective students complete their applications, they are encouraged to visit the Russian Cultural Centre to meet with Education and Development Manager Elena Simonova. She will assist with any queries and ensure that all documentation is in order before students submit their applications online.

In an interview with RT, Leah Mshana, a graduate from Jenista Mhagama Secondary School eager to seize the scholarship opportunity, expressed her long-standing dream of studying in Russia.

“I learned about the scholarship through my brother, who is currently studying there. His experiences and insights about Russian education have inspired me to excel in my studies and pursue this opportunity. I am determined to apply for the next academic admission.”

“This scholarship initiative not only highlights the ongoing educational collaboration between Russia and Tanzania but also aims to equip the next generation of Tanzanian leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive the country’s development forward,” Mshana says.