Gabon will explore the potential of the Nizhny Novgorod region for cooperation.

      19 September 2025, 17:30 [233]

      Economy

      An official delegation from Gabon, headed by the country's Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Russia Sosten Ndembi, has arrived in the Nizhny Novgorod Region. The main purpose of the visit is to assess the region's economic, cultural and educational opportunities.

      Olga Guseva, Minister of International and Interregional Relations of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, emphasized the importance of strengthening ties with African states.

      "The Nizhny Novgorod Region is actively building partnerships with nearly 30 countries on the African continent, and the Gabonese Republic is one of the promising directions. Today, 16 students from Gabon are studying in our region, most of them at N.I. Lobachevsky Nizhny Novgorod State University (NNSU). We expect cooperation to expand in the future," Guseva said.

      As part of the visit, the delegation is scheduled to meet with Nizhny Novgorod Mayor Yuri Shalabaev. The parties will discuss possible formats of interaction between Gabonese cities and Nizhny Novgorod.

      Representatives of Gabon will also visit N.I. Lobachevsky Nizhny Novgorod State University. At the university they will meet with the university leadership and Gabonese students.

      Rector of NNSU Oleg Trofimov said that the university educates more than 25,000 students and postgraduates from about 100 countries. The Gabonese student community is still small — only 12 people, four of whom are studying under the intergovernmental quota of the Russian Federation.

      "Despite the modest number, Gabonese students actively participate in scientific conferences and cultural events. We hope the ambassador's visit will serve as a stimulus for expanding academic exchange," Trofimov added.

      He also said that NNSU is actively developing cooperation with African universities and is a participant in the Russia-Africa Network University. For two years in a row, RAFU summer schools in medical and biological fields have been held at the university, with students from various African countries taking part.

      A cultural program has been prepared to conclude the visit for the Gabonese delegation. The guests will learn about the region's history during a tour of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin and will take a walk along the Strelka.

      It was previously reported that Uzbekistan and the Nizhny Novgorod Region agreed to expand cooperation.

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