The Director of the Foreign Ministry's African Department emphasized the need to develop trade diplomacy between Iran and Africa. He noted that cooperation priorities are determined by indicators such as economic potential, mutual needs, the level of political relations, opportunities for developing trade and investment interaction, and the willingness of the other party to expand ties.
In recent years, the African continent has transformed from an obscure market into one of the most important emerging directions in global trade. This market comprises over 1.5 billion people, demonstrates rapid urbanization, infrastructure development, and growing demand for goods and services, which opens up broad opportunities for exporters.
For the Iranian economy, where diversifying export markets has become a vital necessity, establishing economic ties with African states allows for reducing dependence on traditional markets and opening a new path for increasing non-resource exports and expanding trade cooperation. This is why, in recent years, the country's economic diplomacy has paid special attention to this continent, holding Iran-Africa conferences and specialized regional meetings.
The new approach of the diplomatic apparatus is based on utilizing the potential of various provinces for targeted presence in African markets. This model focuses not on formal meetings, but on identifying the real advantages of each province, establishing direct contact between Iranian businesspeople and African countries, and defining joint trade projects.
Yazd province was chosen first within this framework. Based on its experience exporting goods such as tiles and ceramics, construction materials, textile industry, food industry, as well as technical and engineering services and companies' competencies in solar energy, Yazd aims to increase its share in the growing African market. Officials believe that the main obstacle to developing trade with this continent is not only sanctions pressure but also a lack of knowledge about local markets, legislation, and trading partners; strengthening ties and creating cooperative networks can contribute to increasing Iran's economic exchanges with African countries.
Akbar Hosravinejad, Assistant Minister and Director of the Foreign Ministry's African Department, discussed the importance of holding a summit and considering various issues, including ensuring necessary infrastructure and conditions in transport, banking communications, insurance, logistics, and, most importantly, understanding African markets, in an exclusive interview with IRNA.
When asked about the main obstacle to trade with Africa, Hosravinejad replied that trade development requires a complex set of infrastructural and organizational conditions, and no single factor can be singled out. Market knowledge, transport, banking links, insurance, logistics, and the constant presence of economic activists are interconnected and important in themselves. However, if one must be singled out, it is the knowledge of African markets. He stressed that Africa is not a single market, but a collection of 54 countries with different economic conditions, laws, business cultures, and needs. The more economic actors know about these opportunities, the higher the chances of successful and sustainable presence.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as part of its mission, utilizes the opportunities of the Islamic Republic's missions, holds numerous meetings with private sector representatives, and organizes specialized meetings to better understand the market, which facilitates communication and cooperation while monitoring trade infrastructure issues jointly with relevant authorities.
Regarding plans to remove obstacles and support the private sector, Hosravinejad stated that one of the goals of the country's economic diplomacy is to support the effective participation of the private sector in target markets. In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with economic agencies, engages embassies, joint commissions, trade delegations, specialized meetings, and communication with chambers of commerce to identify opportunities and establish contacts between businesspeople. In this context, a consultative meeting on economic cooperation between Yazd province and Africa is being held, aiming to ensure direct contact between business activists, present mutual opportunities, and define practical directions for cooperation so that the private sector can enter African markets with greater knowledge and confidence.
Yazd province was chosen as a pilot for economic diplomacy with Africa due to significant opportunities in areas such as mining, steel, tiles and ceramics, textiles, technical and engineering services, new energy sources, and the presence of knowledge-based companies. The private sector of the province also possesses valuable experience in export activities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to purposefully utilize the potential of provinces to develop the country's economic diplomacy, viewing Yazd as one of the provinces with high potential for cooperation with African countries, and hoping that the experience of this cooperation will serve as an example for other regions.
Given the high economic and geographical diversity of the African continent, the policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is based on a balanced approach to all regions. Cooperation priorities are determined based on indicators such as economic potential, mutual needs, the level of political relations, potential for trade and investment development, and the partner's willingness to expand ties. In this context, important countries in East, West, North, and South Africa are on the agenda of economic cooperation, and efforts are being made to develop joint interaction according to the capabilities of each country.
Acknowledging competition from countries such as China and Turkey, Hosravinejad noted that a successful presence in the African market requires long-term planning, precise market knowledge, and building stable relationships with local partners. The diplomatic missions of the Islamic Republic of Iran in African countries, in addition to identifying economic opportunities, strive to create conditions for connecting Iranian companies with reliable partners. Furthermore, holding business meetings, exchanging economic delegations, and developing communication between chambers of commerce are measures that contribute to forming sustainable partnerships between the private sectors of both sides. He specifically mentioned the annual Iran-Africa conference, which provides a good platform for networking and establishing trade contacts for the country's businesspeople with Africa.
Chery's investment in a factory in Rosslyn in Pretoria serves as a prime example of the benefits of strategic economic diplomacy. This reflects Deputy President Paul Mashatile's efforts to attract foreign investment, which contributes to industrial growth, job creation, and strengthening South Africa's manufacturing sector.
South Africans have every right to demand clear evidence that official overseas trips bring tangible benefits and advance the country's development goals, especially since they are funded by taxpayers. The South African government is responsible for ensuring that every international engagement contributes to national priorities, strengthens strategic partnerships, and opens opportunities for economic growth.
In recent years, Deputy President Paul Mashatile has made official working visits to key international partners, including China in 2023 and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2024. These meetings were aimed at strengthening political, economic, and diplomatic ties, as well as promoting South Africa's long-term vision—creating a sustainable and self-sufficient economy. The foundation of this approach is an independent foreign policy that prioritizes South Africa's national interests and supports sustainable development.
The principle once voiced by Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first president, 'We look neither East nor West, we look forward,' continues to guide South Africa's efforts to build a comprehensive economy that generates sustainable employment, attracts investment, and expands opportunities for local communities. The Deputy President actively champions South Africa as a place for investment, calling for foreign direct investment while simultaneously emphasizing the importance of local participation, skills development, and broad-based economic growth.
The focus is on creating long-term investment opportunities in fast-growing sectors such as manufacturing, technology, and renewable energy. The benefits of these international engagements are becoming increasingly evident. One notable example was the recent launch of BrainSAT satellite communication services and Thuraya solutions in Johannesburg. This was a direct result of the Deputy President's working visit to the UAE in April 2024, where meetings with Space42 and BrainSAT Technologies led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.
What began as a diplomatic event has transformed into a partnership supporting South Africa's digital transformation agenda. This demonstrates how strategic international cooperation can be converted into investment, technological advancement, and improved services for citizens. This partnership brings advanced satellite communication technologies closer to South Africans while strengthening the country's digital infrastructure.
Furthermore, it supports the government's goal of ensuring reliable connectivity in underserved communities and eliminating geography as a barrier to opportunity. Improved satellite communication can revolutionize education, business, healthcare, and access to public services, especially in remote areas. It will also enhance disaster response capabilities and create opportunities for small businesses to participate more actively in the digital economy.
As the Deputy President noted, 'This launch is more than just presenting devices. It is about preserving dignity and ensuring equal opportunities for every child to learn, dream, and succeed, whether in a rural village or a bustling city.' This vision aligns with initiatives such as SA Connect, the Digital Transformation Roadmap, and the National Satellite Communications Strategy, all aimed at bridging the digital divide in South Africa.
The BrainSAT partnership reinforces these efforts by expanding coverage beyond traditional broadband infrastructure. Similarly, the establishment of the Chery Rosslyn factory demonstrates the value of strategic economic diplomacy and effective public-private sector interaction. This project gained momentum following the Deputy President's working visit to China in 2023 and reflects South Africa's drive to attract investment, build industrial capacity, and create jobs.
The factory represents more than just a major investment; it is a demonstration of South Africa's ambition to develop a competitive and self-sufficient manufacturing sector that provides employment, develops skills, and delivers long-term economic growth. The project also underscores the importance of coordinated governmental action. The Gauteng provincial government, led by Premier Panyaza Lesufi, and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition played a vital role in supporting investment discussions, strengthening economic cooperation, and advancing industrial development.
These partnerships illustrate how international engagement can yield concrete results when aligned with national priorities. Diplomacy should be judged not by the number of countries visited, but by the investments attracted, opportunities created, and the long-term value delivered to citizens. It is equally crucial to ensure that foreign investment contributes to inclusive economic development.
The Deputy President has consistently stressed the need to integrate local suppliers, support startups, and create opportunities for young entrepreneurs. He urged Chery to collaborate closely with the government to identify, support, and include local suppliers in its value chain, paying special attention to youth-owned enterprises. As he observed: 'Because the strength of our supply chains ensures the resilience of our industry, and the creativity of our young entrepreneurs writes the future of our economy.'
This call reflects a broader commitment from the government to ensure that foreign direct investment acts as a catalyst for widespread economic transformation, skills development, and sustainable job creation. International companies bring advanced technology, technical knowledge, and global best practices. However, sustainable and meaningful development is only possible when these investments are integrated into robust partnerships with local businesses and communities. The BrainSAT partnership and the Chery Rosslyn factory show how international cooperation can support South Africa's development goals while empowering local communities. The impact of the Deputy President's visits to China and the UAE did not end upon the delegations' return; its influence is evident today in the investments and partnerships strengthening South Africa's digital and industrial future. Ultimately, the true measure of international engagement is not the distance traveled, but the long-term benefit it brings to the people of South Africa.
