Iran Urged to Turn Africa Focus Into National Strategy
A researcher says deeper knowledge, coordinated planning and sustained implementation are needed to expand Iran-Africa ties.
An analysis calls for Iran to convert its growing attention to Africa into a coordinated national strategy, emphasizing better market knowledge, institutional cooperation and long-term economic partnerships.
TEHRAN — Iran’s efforts to expand relations with Africa should move beyond periodic initiatives and develop into a coordinated national program, according to an analysis by a researcher of Iran-Africa economic relations.
The analysis says a lack of knowledge about Africa’s 54 diverse economies and legal systems remains a major obstacle for Iranian businesses. It cites the first vice president’s call for cooperation with African countries to become a national concern, along with recent steps including Iran-Africa conferences, renewed activity by the Africa headquarters and increased political and economic exchanges.
The researcher argues that a national strategy should include clear objectives, assigned responsibilities, timelines, funding and performance indicators. It also recommends strengthening market research, training, logistics, financial services, technology transfer, joint investment and provincial participation to shift relations from trade toward long-term value creation.