Iran’s exports to African countries during the first five months
of the current Iranian year (Mar. 21-Aug. 22, 2022) grew by 40%
compared with the same period last year, Trend reports citing IRNA.
The figure was announced on Monday by Rouhollah Latifi, the
spokesman of Iran’s Customs Administration, during his speech at a
gathering aimed at evaluating Iran-Africa trade opportunities.
Latifi said that Iran’s imports from African countries in the
mentioned period grew by 147% compared with the same period last
year, adding that the Islamic Republic’s trade with the continent
involved 55 countries.
He explained that a total of 1.354 million tons of goods worth
$741,122,922 were traded between Iran and Africa in the first five
months of the current Iranian year.
Out of that, the official added, Iran’s exports accounted for
1,311,647 tons of goods worth $696,731,412 and sent to 37 African
countries, while imports to Iran accounted for 42,629 tons of goods
worth $44,391,510 from 19 African nations.
Latifi said that South Africa, Mozambique, Sudan, Nigeria and
Ghana were the top destinations of Iranian goods, respectively.
Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the
Congo and Ghana had respectively the most imports to Iran, he
added.
The official also said that imports mainly included raw
materials and machinery, while Iran mainly exported foodstuff,
minerals, as well as petro-refinery and oil derivatives
products.
Latifi said that trade with Africa has seen a jump, but goals
are yet to be achieved.
Also present at the gathering was South African Ambassador to
Tehran Vika Mazwi Khumalo.
He said that trade between Iran and Africa dates back to the
last century and began to grow after African nations got
independence, however, it is not at a desirable level yet due to
certain problems.
The South African envoy hailed the incumbent Iranian
administration for attaching importance to developing trade ties
with Africa and proposed that services are traded between Iran and
the continent as well in order to further expand cooperation.
