Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Thursday, July 13, 2023, concluded his three-country African tour.
President Rais’s African trip kicked off earlier this week in Kenya and Uganda – in Kenya, he met with President William Ruto and other government officials.
The two presidents discussed ways to boost trade and investment between the two countries further signing a raft of trade agreements focusing on areas including information technology, investment promotion, and fisheries.
According to Raisi, the talks with President Ruto reflected “the determination and resolve of both countries for expansion of economic and trade cooperation, political cooperation, cultural cooperation”.
On his side, President Ruto described Iran as “a critical strategic partner for Kenya” further adding that the memoranda will enhance and further deepen bilateral relations for sustainable growth and development between our two countries.
Later on Wednesday, President Raisi visited Uganda where he met with President Yoweri Museveni and other government officials – the two sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism and regional security.
He ended his trip in Zimbabwe where he met President Emmerson Mnangagwa and signed 12 agreements to boost bilateral relations between Iran and Zimbabwe.
Raisi’s visit to Africa is believed to be Iran’s way of increasing engagement with the continent. Iran has been seeking to expand its ties with Africa in recent years, as it faces increasing isolation from the West.
It is also the first visit by an Iranian leader to the African continent in over a decade and comes as Tehran seeks to strengthen its partnerships across the globe.
Raisi during a press briefing referred to Africa as a “continent of opportunities,” emphasizing its potential as a market for Iranian products.