Iran and Kenya plan to strengthen bilateral ties through religious exchange programmes and peace initiatives. The two nations have been pushing to deepen trade and cultural ties.
The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Kenya, Ali Gholampour, said that the dialogue and culture exchange approach seeks to address pressing geopolitical issues.
“Through that engagement, we could know each other better and understand better. Through that mutual understanding, we will be in a position to strengthen our bilateral relations,” said Gholampour.
Since 2023, when Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi toured Kenya, the two states committed to 22 agreements to boost their relations.
These agreements covered areas such as education, health, infrastructure, scholarships, water, fisheries, and agriculture.
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics data shows the value of trade between these countries was Sh9.3 billion in 2022.
The balance of trade between them was in favour of Kenya with exports valued at Sh5.9 billion, against imports valued at Sh3.4 billion.
Kenya largely exports tea, coffee, fruits, fish and textiles to Iran and imports chemicals, fuels and plastics.
Gholampour noted that the recent engagements mark a significant step in fostering cross-cultural dialogue and highlights the role of religion and community engagement in addressing contemporary challenges of peace and coexistence.
The ambassador noted the volatile situations in regions such as the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, citing ongoing conflicts in places like Somalia, Sudan, and Gaza as a threat to boosting relations between countries.
He condemned the destruction and loss of life in Palestine, describing it as a violation of international laws and human rights.
“What these regions need most is peace, tolerance and dialogue to address differences and peacefully resolve conflicts, said Ghulampour, “Religions play a crucial role in guiding followers toward peaceful resolutions to conflicts and differences.”
The two countries are strategically
located to serve as key points of entry
into their respective regions.