Iran’s Raisi seals 21 deals on Africa trip, attends drone exhibit in Kenya

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi returned from his African tour on Friday with numerous cooperation deals as Iran seeks greater influence on the continent.

Raisi traveled to Kenya on Wednesday and then to Uganda later that day. On Thursday, he arrived in Zimbabwe. He returned to Iran early Friday morning. Raisi described Africa as the “land of opportunities” upon his arrival, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

All in all, Iran signed 21 cooperation agreements. The following is a breakdown of Raisi’s trip:

Kenya

Iran and Kenya, where Raisi met with his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto, signed five cooperation agreements on veterinary matters, communications, fishing, culture and vocational training.

Raisi also attended an Iranian drone exhibition at the House of Innovation and Technology in Nairobi. The event was held to market the Pelikan and Dorna drones for agricultural use in the country, according to the agency.

Uganda

Raisi met his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni. The two countries signed four cooperation agreements on visa waivers, agricultural cooperation and the formation of a joint permanent intergovernmental commission, and also issued a joint political statement.

Raisi met businesspeople from both countries and warned against exporting raw materials to the West.

“Imperialism and the West prefer countries to export oil and raw materials, allowing them to convert these resources into value-added products. Therefore, our efforts in Iran are focused on preventing raw material exports,” he said, as reported by IRNA.

Raisi also attacked LGBTQ people during a press conference in Uganda.

“The West today is trying to promote the idea of homosexuality and by promoting homosexuality, they are trying to end the generation of human beings,” he said, according to Agence France-Presse.

Uganda has been widely criticized by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International for its anti-LGBTQ laws. In May, Museveni signed a law that punishes “aggravated homosexuality” with death, Reuters reported.

Zimbabwe

Raisi met his counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa and described Zimbabwe as a “friendly country,” IRNA reported.

Iran and Zimbabwe signed 12 cooperation agreements on energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications research, science and technology, according to the semi-official Mehr News Agency.

Why it matters: Iran is seeking greater influence in sub-Saharan Africa but faces competition from the Gulf, China and elsewhere. In June 2022, the Abu Dhabi Exports Office signed a $20 million financing agreement with Economic Community of West African States. The following October, Saudi Arabia hosted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and signed $15 billion in agreements.

China, with whom Iran shares close ties, has been building its relations with African countries for decades, largely in infrastructure and energy.

Last month, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE attended the BRICS alliance meeting in South Africa.

Know more: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi also did an African tour in June in a bid to boost Egypt’s political, economic and security ties with the region.