Iran’s Raisi in Africa to “Promote Economic Diplomacy”

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has embarked on a rare Africa tour that Tehran touted as a "new beginning" in relations with the continent.

Raisi met with his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto, in Nairobi on July 12, as he began his three-country tour, the first by an Iranian president to Africa in 11 years.

Raisi's trip, which will also take him to Uganda and Zimbabwe, is the latest diplomatic effort to reduce the Islamic Republic's isolation and to diversify economic ties in the face of crippling US sanctions.

The visit is meant to “promote economic diplomacy, strengthen political relations with friendly and aligned countries, and diversify the export destinations,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement upon Raisi’s arrival.

Kenya's Foreign Ministry said this week that his trip to Kenya, East Africa’s economic hub and an ally of the United States, will provide the two countries an "opportunity to review and re-energise their bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries."

The Iranian President is expected to next fly to Uganda and then to Zimbabwe, which like Iran is under US sanctions.

Iran's trade with African countries will increase to more than $2 billion this year, the Iranian Foreign Ministry has said, without providing a comparative figure for 2022.

The Islamic Republic has stepped up its diplomacy in recent months to deepen partnerships around the world.

Last week, Iran gained full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a Eurasian security and political grouping led by China and Russia.

In June, Raisi visited three Latin American countries to shore up support with allies also saddled with US sanctions.

In March, Iran and its regional rival Saudi Arabia agreed to re-establish diplomatic ties after a seven-year hiatus. The Islamic Republic has since been looking to restore relations with other countries in the region including Egypt, Morocco and Sudan.