Iranian President Visits Africa for the First Time in 10 Years

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met with Kenyan President William Ruto today, Wednesday, at the beginning of an African tour, described by Tehran as a "new beginning" for Iran's relations with the continent. The visit, which will also include Uganda and Zimbabwe, marks the first trip by an Iranian president to Africa in over 10 years, aimed at diversifying economic relations in the face of strict U.S. sanctions on Iran. In a press conference following his meeting with Ruto, Raisi expressed his desire to enhance trade relations with African countries, stating, "None of us is satisfied with the current volume of trade and economic exchange between the two countries." Raisi signed four agreements in Uganda with President Yoweri Museveni, saying, "Iran is ready to share its expertise regarding a plan to establish an oil refinery with a production capacity of 60,000 barrels per day." Raisi previously visited three Latin American countries to garner support from allies also burdened by U.S. sanctions. The last Iranian president to visit Africa was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2013.