Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe have agreed to buy petrochemicals from Iran in exchange for the US-sanctioned country importing other goods from the three African nations, the Iranian presidency has said.
In a diplomatic blitz on the continent last week, President Ebrahim Raisi signed several pacts with the three countries focused on trade but also for cooperation in agriculture, education and technology, among others, according to his office. He also used the opportunity to attack the West for “putting pressure on independent countries”, the office said.
On trade, Iran and the three nations “agreed that essential goods that Iran needs will be imported from these countries in the form of barter and in exchange for the sale of petrochemical products and materials,” said the Raisi office.
“One of the objectives of this trip was to develop relations with the countries of the African continent, because Africa is a continent of valuable opportunities, abundant natural resources, mines and fields, and many talents,” said his office. .
“On this trip, we have pursued improving the country’s food security by facilitating access to basic goods produced in African countries, as well as creating new export markets for Iranian products, especially knowledge-based ones,” added the president.
During the visits, Iran also opened offices in Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe that facilitate science and technology collaboration.
In Kenya, Iran signed five agreements “in the fields of veterinary medicine, communication, culture, fisheries and professional technology,” the president’s office said.
Four agreements were forged in Uganda for “Visa Waiver, Agricultural Cooperation, Establishment of a Joint Permanent Commission and Joint Declaration”.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe and Iran signed agreements “in the fields of oil and energy, telecommunications and information technology, social security and insurance, labor and employment, higher education and science and research and technology, agriculture and fisheries, food and medicine, supply, distribution and technology, medical equipment production, occupational safety and work-related injury reduction, social support and child protection, empowerment of persons with disabilities and cooperation agreement between Iran Tractor Company and Zimbabwe Magai Company”.
Speaking at Uganda’s National Mosque, Raisi also accused the West of “putting pressure on independent countries by attacking the family foundation, promoting the ugly phenomenon of homosexuality, the spread of extremism and terrorism and the use of human rights as a tool, so that the development of cultural interactions and cultural cooperation between Iran and Uganda will be very effective in confronting the plots of the enemies of the two nations.”
Iran faces sanctions imposed by the European Union, the US and the United Nations Security Council over nuclear weapons and human rights.
Raisi also said that establishing ties with the three countries would pave the way for stronger relations for Iran on the continent.
“Each of these three countries has an important place in Africa, including Kenya, which is kind of the gateway to East Africa, and this was our first trip to that country. Strengthening relations with these countries can lead to strengthening relations with other African countries,” said Raisi.
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