Morocco ranks second in Africa for students enrolled at Russian universities

Russia’s Ministry of Education and Science reported on Wednesday, Oct. 28, that 4,574 Moroccan students were enrolled at the country’s universities for the 2025-2026 academic year, placing Morocco second among African countries.

Egypt tops the list with 9,076 students, a gap of 4,502 over Morocco. Cameroon comes third with 3,161, ahead of Algeria with 2,527 and Nigeria with 2,481.

Tunisia follows with 1,307 students, then Mali with 1,132, Sudan with 1,017 and Angola with 980. The ministry counted 37,710 African students overall at Russian higher education institutions this academic year, meaning Moroccans account for about 12 percent of that total.

Most African students cover their own costs. Of the total, 25,656, or roughly 68 percent, study under fee-paying contracts, while 12,054, about 32 percent, hold state-funded places.

The figures came out as Moscow hosted the third Russia-Africa summit alongside the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum on Oct. 28 and 29, gatherings meant to expand cooperation between Russia and African countries, including in higher education and academic exchange.