Iran’s exports to Africa surged 2.2 times in the first four months of the calendar year to late July compared with the same period last year, while the number of export destinations expanded from 29 to 34 countries, the chairman of the Iran-East Africa Joint Chamber of Commerce said.
Masoud Barhaman attributed the growth to Iran’s more active diplomacy with African nations, a broader range of export destinations, diversification of goods including food products, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, light petrochemicals and construction materials, as well as increased use of barter and local currencies in some transactions.
He also cited improved shipping routes to eastern and western Africa and the continent’s heightened demand for essential goods amid a global food and energy crisis.
Barhaman, however, pointed to persistent obstacles in trade with Africa, including logistical shortcomings, regulatory and standards hurdles, currency risks and non-tariff barriers.
Shipping bottlenecks include a lack of regular direct lines from Iran and delays at African ports, while tougher requirements for registering food and pharmaceutical products and demands for halal and quality certifications have added to the challenges, he said.