A rich history of diplomacy, education, cultural exchange and unexpected personal connections stretches from the Russian Empire to the present day

In 1944, an unusual pavilion dedicated to the Soviet Union opened in Johannesburg, South Africa. Visitors could discover more about life in the USSR, view exhibitions, relax in a tea garden, and even stop by a vodka bar. The pavilion was very popular and attracted a total of about 250,000 visitors. This little-known episode is just one example of the rich and varied history of Russia-Africa relations. From Russian officers at the court of the Ethiopian emperor to African students who studied in Russia under the patronage of Nicholas II, the New Moscow Cossack settlement on the Red Sea coast, and the son of a Russian officer who became one of Ethiopia’s first pilots, we explore some of the highlights of Russia-Africa relations below.

From Peter the Great to New Moscow in Africa

Perhaps the most famous African figure in the history of the Russian Empire is Abram…