Persian Pivot: Iran’s African Exports Take Off

According to Saed News, Iran achieved an extraordinary 85% increase in exports to African nations during the first quarter of its current year (March 21–June 21), while its trade surplus with the continent jumped by 113%. Mohammad Reza Safari, acting head of the Trade Promotion Organization’s Africa office, revealed that the number of importing countries climbed from 27 to 32 within three months, a testament to the momentum generated by the recent Iran‑Africa Economic Cooperation Summit.

Safari attributed this dramatic upswing to the summit’s outcomes and urged a strategic shift toward exporting high value‑added final products and investing in offshore production—an approach modelled on China’s long‑term African engagement. “By focusing on finished goods and localized investment, Iran can mitigate rising energy and transport costs, shrinking financial support, and new U.S. tariffs,” he explained.

Echoing these sentiments, Seyed Mehdi Hosseini, summit secretary, noted that the third Iran‑Africa gathering distinguished itself by targeting four priority sectors—mining, agriculture, petrochemicals and medical equipment. Unlike its predecessors, this edition dispatched delegations to Isfahan in sector‑specific groups for field visits, fostering tangible agreements. Hosseini confirmed that commercial and investment contracts were inked in each of the four areas, with detailed disclosures forthcoming.

Together, these initiatives signal Tehran’s resolve to deepen African ties and diversify its export portfolio, transforming a diplomatic forum into a springboard for sustainable economic growth.