Iran should expand trade with East Africa to reduce its reliance on a handful of export markets and boost economic resilience, the head of the Iran-East Africa Chamber of Commerce said in a note published on the Persian website of Iran Chamber of Commerce.
Masoud Barhaman said deeper cooperation with Africa’s growing economies represented a medium-term strategic opportunity for Tehran, offering export diversification, new opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, and greater economic endurance.
For the new Iranian calendar year, Barhaman listed priorities including the institutionalization of Iran-Africa clearing and barter platforms, the launch of regular logistics routes, the establishment of joint trade centers in several target countries, the development of practical Africa trade training for Iranian firms, and a focus on strategic commodity chains such as food, agricultural inputs, mining, and engineering and technical services.
“The goal of this planning is to move from ad-hoc trade to structural and sustainable cooperation,” he said.