![Kenya's President William Ruto meets Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during his official visit at the State House in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 12, 2023 [Iran's Presidency/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via Reuters]](https://diplomaticwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-07-12T063615Z_1189288150_RC2G12A4IHT5_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-AFRICA-1689154070.jpg)
Nairobi – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has expressed his desire to significantly boost trade between Iran and Kenya, aiming for a tenfold increase from the current level as a starting point for the two countries’ cooperation. President Raisi’s remarks came during his visit to Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, where he was warmly welcomed by Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
President Raisi’s visit to Kenya included a meeting with his host, President William Ruto, at State House. Following their talks, ministers from both countries signed documents of mutual cooperation, solidifying their commitment to strengthen bilateral ties.
Speaking at a joint press conference with President Ruto, President Raisi highlighted the Iranian administration’s approach to Africa, recognizing the continent’s rich human, spiritual, and natural resources. He emphasized the potential for exchange and cooperation between Iran and Kenya, which could lead to an elevated level of relations.
President Raisi underlined Iran’s remarkable progress despite facing Western sanctions, stressing the country’s readiness to share its experiences with Kenya. He proudly declared, “Today, Iran deserves to be recognized as an advanced and technological nation. We have successfully overcome the challenges of sanctions and made significant advancements in various fields. We stand prepared to share our expertise in economy, science, and technology with Kenya.”
President Raisi identified key areas of Iran’s expertise, including petrochemicals, agriculture, science, and technology. He also highlighted that the cooperation between Iran and Kenya would extend beyond their bilateral relations, drawing parallels to Iran’s existing partnerships with countries in the Persian Gulf and Central Asia, as well as Kenya’s connections with East Asia.
