The Russian Embassy in Zimbabwe has defended the controversial Alabuga Start Programme, which has come under scrutiny for allegedly being a deceptive work-study scheme targeting young women from Zimbabwe and other African nations.
The programme has been accused of serving as a front for recruiting African women, aged between 18 and 22, to work in the production of Iranian-designed Shahed drones—reportedly used by Russian forces in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In a statement, the embassy dismissed the allegations and described the initiative as one of the “shining projects” under the broader Russia-Africa cooperation framework, to provide education and job opportunities. The statement reads:
Russia has been providing comprehensive support to the African friends on this journey. As President of Russia Vladimir Putin has stated, ‘In the history of our relations with the African continent, there has never been any shadow’.
We have never exploited African people, nor have we engaged in anything inhumane on the continent. On the contrary, we have always supported Africa in its struggle for independence, sovereignty and creation of basic conditions for economic development.
Alabuga Start is one of the shining projects of Russia-Africa co-operation. It is focused on training highly skilled personnel, being implemented in the special economic zone in the Republic of Tatarstan, east of Moscow.
The embassy said the Alabuga Start Programme recruits students from around the world, offering them opportunities to gain practical work experience, professional training, and Russian language skills.
Over the past two years, the programme has reportedly enrolled at least 327 participants from 44 countries, including Zimbabwe, with a promise of a monthly salary of up to US$1,500. Participants also receive certification in professional competencies and Russian language proficiency.
According to the embassy, the initiative provides various pathways for young people to work in Russia while enhancing their skills and qualifications.The Russian embassy said:
Alabuga also provides participants with housing and medical insurance. Upon returning home they are well qualified to use the experience and knowledge for the benefit of their countries.
Russia has never tried to impose on partners its own ideas about the internal structure, forms and methods of management, development goals and ways to achieve them. Russia is well-positioned to strengthen the statehood of African nations.
The embassy added that over 1,300 Zimbabwean students are currently studying in Russia, with plans underway to increase that number. Reads the statement:
The intention of the Russian government is to increase year by year the number of scholarships allocated to the Zimbabwean youth: in 2020/21 academic year it amounted to 65 scholarships, in 2021/22 there were 80, in 2022/23: 125, in 2023/24: 148, in 2024/25: 148.
More: NewsDay
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