TEHRAN – Iran’s exports to Africa rose 2.2 times in the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21- July 22), the head of the Africa Office at the Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) announced.

Mohammadreza Safari said Iran expanded its target markets on the continent from 29 to 34 countries, adding that imports from Africa declined in the same period.

He attributed the surge in exports partly to the Iran-Africa economic cooperation summit, saying the implementation of resolutions by the Africa Headquarters could accelerate the trend.

Safari said Iran’s trade strategy with Africa should move toward exporting higher value-added goods, citing recent challenges such as rising energy and transport costs, reduced financial support, and new U.S. tariffs on African exports.

He also highlighted opportunities for Iran in exporting specialized services, technical and vocational training, and technology transfer, which he said could give Iranian firms an edge over Chinese competitors.

EF/MA