It is time "to materialize Africa's presence" in Russia, former Ambassador of Benin in Russia, Anicet Gabriel Kotchofa, commented on the opening of the House of Africa in Moscow.
"I'm convinced that with time and everyone's efforts, this house will turn into a real House of Africa, where ordinary Russians will be able to come and get acquainted with what Africa is," he told Sputnik Africa.
He noted that his dream is to see Russians and Africans gather within its walls to read poems by classic Russian poets Pushkin and Lermontov, tell each other stories and get to know each other better.
"Africans will be able to come to this house and feel comfortable. Russian businessmen will be able to come to this house and learn about Africa in the fields of business, education and culture," Kotchofa added.
"I am convinced that there will be more houses in other cities of Russia. On April 27, we will go to [the Russian city of] Grozny to open another house," he revealed.
The House of Africa in Moscow is the second in Russia, after the one that opened in the Russian city of Saint Petersburg in July 2023.