Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi sets off on a rare Africa tour to strengthen alliances and boost economic ties

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will embark on a three-day tour of Africa, starting Tuesday, in a bid to reduce Iran’s isolation and forge new alliances with African nations. This trip, which includes visits to Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, marks the first time an Iranian president has visited Africa in over a decade.

Accompanying President Raisi is a delegation that includes Iran’s foreign minister, as well as senior businesspeople, reflecting the country’s intent to enhance economic and trade ties with the African nations. During the tour, President Raisi is scheduled to meet with the presidents of Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, according to Iran’s official news agency, IRNA.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanani, described the Africa tour as a “new turning point” and emphasized the potential for bolstering economic and trade relations between Iran and the three African countries. Kanani also highlighted the basis for the rapprochement, citing “common political views” shared by Tehran and the African nations.

Iran has been actively engaging in diplomatic efforts in recent months to counter the impact of severe sanctions imposed on the country since the United States’ withdrawal from the nuclear deal in 2018. By strengthening its international ties, Iran aims to reduce its isolation and mitigate the effects of the sanctions.

Prior to the Africa tour, President Raisi hosted Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf on Saturday, signaling Iran’s desire to enhance relations with Algeria. Additionally, Iran achieved membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization last week, joining Russia, China, and India in the influential regional alliance.

President Raisi’s visit to Africa underscores Iran’s commitment to expanding its global reach and developing mutually beneficial partnerships across the continent. As the tour progresses, the Iranian delegation will seek to build bridges and foster closer cooperation with Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, with a focus on economic and trade collaboration. The outcome of these meetings has the potential to reshape Iran’s position on the international stage and contribute to the country’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of sanctions.