Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is to visit Kenya next week to meet President Ruto.
There might be raised eyebrows, but it’s all about trade.
Nairobi, Kenya – In a move to strengthen political and trade cooperation, President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran is set to embark on a visit to Kenya next week.
This visit marks the first time an Iranian president has visited Kenya in over a decade, to foster closer ties between the two nations.
With the aim of enhancing diplomatic relations, President Raisi’s visit is expected to pave the way for fruitful discussions and the signing of cooperation agreements between Iran and Kenya.
The Iranian leader will have a meeting with his host President William Ruto at State House Nairobi, where they will engage in substantive talks regarding mutual interests and shared aspirations.
During the meeting, President Raisi and President Ruto will likely focus on various areas of collaboration, including trade, agriculture, energy, and technology.
For Iran, the visit to Kenya represents a strategic move to expand its diplomatic outreach and engage with African nations highlighting Iran’s interest in diversifying its alliances and exploring new avenues for economic cooperation beyond its traditional partners.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country in March 2020, Iran was enjoying Sh15 billion (USD150 million) of exports to Kenya, mainly in construction materials and textile products, while in the opposite direction, Kenya only managed Sh3 billion (USD30 million) from the sale of tea and coffee to Tehran.
Sanctions and Covid-19 slowed down the growth of trade volumes between the two countries.
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