Tehran – It is rare to find two realms with a history that is completely undamaged. Most experience friction, and negative perceptions of foreign countries are common all over the world. However, when it comes to Iran and Africa, centuries of interaction have been marked mostly by the lack of great hostility.
This created a very positive dynamic between Tehran and the African capital. This is a dynamic that has considerable potential for both parties to unlock, as demonstrated at the 3rd Iran-Africa Economic Cooperation Council held last week.
Over the course of several days, over 700 traders and officials from 38 African countries have been immersed in Iran’s commerce and culture, the industrial hubs of Tehran and Esfahan. In addition to the Iranian and Africa summit, representatives are taking part in the Iranian Exposition, the country’s largest trade event, with specialized meetings, panels and packed schedules of high levels of engagement.
Iran has invested almost a year in planning the summit, a foreign ministry source told the Tehran Times. Sources said the meticulous and dedicated plan for the events of Iran reflects the high priority on ties with Africa.
The last major official interaction between Iran and Africa took place in 2023 when late Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi embarked on a small tour of Africa and met with leaders from Kenya, Zimbabwe and Uganda. The unprecedented Israeli attack in the region, which saw the sudden death of the president in 2024, was still ongoing to some extent, hampering more direct involvement in the months following the tour.
Tehran’s focus on relations with Africa has become clear in recent years, but when they decided that more effort should be put into strengthening relations with friendly, like-minded countries, Iranian leaders have always had positive feelings towards Africans, especially since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. He also paid special attention to the continent’s Muslim population, believing that young religious Africans could promote deeper connections with fellow Muslims in West Asia.
Imam Khomeini’s successor, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, spoke lovingly about the Africans in some of his speeches. For him, the history of the African people in the fight against oppression is both respectable and exciting, and the fascinating rise in the region is fascinating.
Javad Dehghan Haghighi, director of Iran’s Foreign Ministry’s African headquarters, says there are several more reasons why Iran will submit importance to its relationship with African countries in 2025.
“Iran and African relations were one of mutual respect,” he said in an interview with the Tehran Times. “Iranians and Africans both have positive perceptions of each other. This is not the same in many countries. For example, Western heritage in Africa is always undermined by colonialism and exploitation.”
Officials explained that Iran can share its technical and industrial know-how with Africa. You can also personally handle projects in a variety of fields. There is also much that Africa can give to Iran. “One of the important regions where Iran and Africa can work together is agriculture. Many people believe that the world’s youngest continent is dry. But most of it actually sees heavy rainfall and has very fertile soil.” Iran itself has been tackling droughts for several years.
Africa’s vast mineral resources and large consumer markets are also attractive to Iran, Dehghan added.
The Tehran Times understands that Iran is preparing to host more African delegations for next year’s summit.