Raisi heads a high-level delegation focused on following the policy line of expanding and strengthening relations with friendly countries and raising the level of cooperation in different fields, according to an official statement.

Raisi will hold talks with his African counterparts during his visit to the continent in order to improve the level of relations and expand interactions. He will also attend high-level joint delegation meetings, participate in press conferences and sign cooperation documents. In addition, he plans to meet with businessmen, economic actors and officials from the three countries to take advantage of common economic and commercial capacities.

The statement noted that this is the first visit by an Iranian president to Africa in 11 years, and is being carried out in line with the comprehensive, balanced and convergence-based foreign policy, as well as the strengthening of economic multilateralism.

Raisi seeks to increase Iran’s presence in the economy of the African continent.

According to the press release, the Islamic Republic of Iran aims at optimizing its foreign policy priorities by including all regions, rather than relying on ties with Western countries, some of which have imposed or allowed sanctions against Iran.

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