“Iran’s exports to Africa doubled in the first six months of the current year / Planning underway for the Iran–Africa Summit 2026.”

According to the Public Relations Office of the Iran Trade Promotion Organization, Mohammadreza Safari, detailing Iran’s trade relations with African countries, stated: Iran’s exports to Africa reached 675 million dollars in the first six months of 2025 (1404), which represents a twofold increase compared to the same period last year.

The Acting Director of the Africa Office at the Iran Trade Promotion Organization described this growth as a national achievement, adding: This volume of exports equals 80 percent of the total exports to the continent last year, and we hope to reach an unprecedented record over the past decade by the end of the year.

Africa: A Large and High-Potential Market

Safari, referring to sanctions and international conditions, described Africa as a vast and highly promising market for Iranian traders, noting: Many traders, following recent developments, are seeking new markets, and Africa can be an excellent alternative. With a population of 1.4 billion, the continent offers a very large market for all types of Iranian products.

The Acting Director of the Africa Office identified the successful model of Asian countries such as China and Türkiye as joint presence and co-production with African companies, and stated: We must also move toward this type of cooperation. Given the sanctions environment, we can propose new models such as barter trade to African partners. Some African countries, due to similar sanction conditions, are interested in cooperation with Iran.

He referred to the establishment of the Eighth Meeting of the Africa Taskforce within the government and added: This taskforce is convened with the participation of the First Vice President and 13 ministers, and within its economic commission—of which we are in charge—we have established eight specialized committees. Key topics such as shipping, air transport, allocation of credit lines, and agricultural development are on the agenda and are being actively pursued.

Safari concluded by announcing plans to hold the Africa Summit in 2026 (1405), stating: The final decision regarding the summit will be made in the next meeting of the Africa Taskforce, and we have already begun our preparations.