By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi has concluded his three-nation tour in Africa, returning to Tehran on Friday where he was quoted to have said that his country will barter petrochemicals for food and agro produce with Africa.
Raisi, who visited Kenya, Zimbabwe and Uganda this week, said the first aim of his African tour was to expand “Iran’s strategic depth” on the continent.
The official government news website IRNA quoted Raisi as saying that securing “raw materials” and food was the second goal of his trip.
He maintained that there is good opportunity for agriculture in Africa and Iran could trade petrochemical products and receive much needed food staples.
The Islamic Republic is seeking new economic relations, following isolation by US and European sanctions.
Faced with economic pressure, which has led to high inflation estimated to range from 70-100 percent, Iran sees new diplomatic ground in Africa.
Raisi himself faces sanctions and cannot travel to Western countries.
All three countries the Iranian president visited are grappling with numerous economic and social crises.
Raisi said that the Islamic Republic has common ground with the three African countries in opposing “unilateralism”, a reference to Western diplomatic and economic power.
Upon his return to Tehran the president claimed that because of the Islamic revolution, Iran has succeeded in establishing wide-ranging ties with many countries around the world.
