The Russian Orthodox Church named the reason and goal behind expanding its influence in African countries. It believes that “Africans experience a spiritual thirst and see in the Russian Orthodox Church a large and strong church that is engaging.”

This was stated in an interview with TASS by the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan of Cairo and North Africa Konstantin. According to him, the exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church is now active in 36 countries on the continent, bringing together more than 270 clergy and about 370 parishes and communities. “But we will also appear in those countries where we are not yet present,” the metropolitan promised.

As reported by LF, the Kremlin uses the Russian Orthodox Church as a tool of influence in Africa and recruits local populations with its help to participate in the war against Ukraine.

Earlier, we wrote that the African Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church lures Kenyans into the war in Ukraine. Young citizens of Kenya are offered to travel to Russia for work or study, with the church undertaking to sponsor the trip.

It is known that the Russian Orthodox Church considers Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda as key countries for developing its mission in Africa. This was reported by Metropolitan of Cairo and North Africa Konstantin Ostrovskiy.

It was previously reported that the Russian Orthodox Church officially established its presence in Cameroon through the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.

Earlier, we wrote about how Russia is “reformatting” Africa and the Global South.