A draft proposal sees the building of at least 30 villages for African immigrants as a population crisis looms in Russia.

Facing a dramatic decline of its population as a result of mass emigration, war casualties, and record low birthrates, the Russian Federation hopes to attract immigrants from the developing world, and African countries are among primary candidates.

The initiative to welcome African nationals on Russian soil as new citizens was first raised at the Russia-Africa summit last July, but the authorities have been slow in providing specific rules, adaptation programs, or housing infrastructure ever since.

The rector of the International Eurasian University of Russia, Constantin Klimenko, says that, as part of the project, five hectares of land for residence building have been allocated for this purpose in the Tver Region, a province of 84,200 square kilometers and 1.23 million people in European Russia. 

Location of Porechye village in the Tver Region of Russia. Credit: Google Maps

"I took part in organizing the laying of the first stone for the construction of an Afro-village. This event took place in the Tver Region near the village of Porechye in the Bologovsky District.

[...] The event was attended by members of the Tver Legislative Assembly, officials of the regional executive administration, African diplomats, leaders of African communities. However, the head of the local administration backed out. Perhaps he was afraid of having to answer for the thistles and other weeds at human height, which greeted the guests along the roadside and even in the district center," Klimenko said on his VKontakte page. 

So far, this five-hectare plot is the only known land Russia has officially put aside for its future colonists from Africa. Overall, the authorities intend to built from scratch 30 villages.

Russian and African enthusiasts laying the foundation of a future village for African immigrants. Credit: Klimenko/VKontakte

It is unclear why should the newcomers live in separate settlements rather than mix up with the locals in existing towns and cities or what would they do for living in Russia. Nor have the authorities explained how the future colonists would be selected for arrival and naturalization.

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According to Klimenko, who mistakenly called the future colonists “Afrikaneers” but then specified that he meant “white Boers”, the new citizens from African descent will adopt Orthodox Christianity as their religion, will learn the language and Russia’s moral values and customs, will build their own homes and social infrastructure, and will eventually become investors in their new fatherland.

Around 200 Africans are expected to start Russian language via online courses organized by the International Eurasian University of Russia.

By various estimates, the African diaspora in Russia accounts for some 40,000 people, most of whom are students. 

The Vishnevsky Institute of Demography predicts that the Russian permanent population could decrease by 80 million people by the end of the century, from 147 million at present.