Iran’s Africa Policy: Between Anti-Colonial Rhetoric and Strategic Interests

From April 26 to 29, Iran hosted the second Iran-Africa Summit, welcoming economy ministers from more than 30 African countries as well as numerous business representatives.

Throughout the summit, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi emphasized that Africa’s resources have long been exploited by Western powers. He expressed Iran’s approach with the statement: “The West wants Africa for itself, but we want Africa for Africa.” Raisi underlined that the plundering of Africa’s resources by Western states represents a historic injustice and stressed that Iran seeks a win-win relationship with the continent.

During the summit, aimed at strengthening economic relations between Iran and African countries, the Iran-Africa Joint Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources was established.

The first Iran-Africa Summit was held in 2010 during the Ahmadinejad administration, when ties with Africa were at their peak. At that summit, Iran emphasized trade and investment, development assistance, energy cooperation, and strengthened diplomatic relations, positioning Africa as a key partner.

Iran’s Historical Ties with Africa

With its precious minerals, renewable energy potential, young population, emerging economies, and newly developing markets, Africa is becoming too significant and influential a bloc to ignore. While today all global powers are vying for influence on the continent, Iran’s interest dates back as far as the 16th century.

Although its connections stretch much further, Iran’s most notable steps toward Africa can be traced to the Cold War era. During that period, Iran sought to strengthen ties by supporting African nations in their struggles against colonialism. Tehran developed diplomatic relations and extended aid programs, particularly aligning with countries fighting for independence.

Following the Islamic Revolution, Iran’s foreign policy shifted, and Tehran began to engage more closely with African countries both politically and ideologically. Iran pursued strategic alliances with predominantly Muslim nations such as Sudan, attempting to expand its influence in both religious and political domains. In this period, Iran also cultivated ties with Shia Muslim communities in Nigeria.

Ayatollah Khomeini openly opposed South Africa’s apartheid regime, pledging full support to the African National Congress (ANC). Through this, Iran sought to shape its African image around “revolution and resistance.”

Perhaps no country has received more Iranian attention than South Africa. Relations strengthened significantly in 1994 during Nelson Mandela’s presidency. Today, one of Tehran’s busiest streets is named Nelson Mandela Boulevard. Iranian media remains active in South Africa, and the country has reciprocated with diplomatic support — most recently backing Iran’s entry into BRICS.

Iran’s overarching message in Africa has consistently been framed as “partnership and resistance against Western colonialism.” However, while political and ideological ties deepened, trade relations did not progress in parallel. In fact, Iran’s share of Africa’s vast market has remained below 0.5 percent.

The Ahmadinejad Era: Peak Engagement with Africa

Under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2005–2013), Iran launched a major diplomatic and economic opening toward Africa. During this period, Tehran sought support from African nations at the United Nations on issues such as nuclear power and U.S. sanctions. Ahmadinejad also aimed to strengthen relations with Shia communities on the continent. Shia cultural and educational centers were established in Liberia, Cameroon, and Côte d’Ivoire.

Iran’s engagement with Africa was most active during this era, marked by frequent visits, increased oil exports, and new security and military cooperation agreements.

By contrast, under Hassan Rouhani, relations quieted significantly. No presidential visits to Africa occurred, though existing activities continued.

The Revival of Ties under Raisi

Since taking office in 2021, President Ebrahim Raisi has expressed a renewed commitment to Africa, declaring: “In the new Iranian government, we will dedicate all our capacities to deepening cooperation with African countries.”

After an 11-year gap, Raisi initiated a new phase of outreach in July 2023, visiting Uganda, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. He praised African nations’ “resistance against colonialism as a symbol of awakening.”

During his Kenya visit, Raisi described Africa as a “continent of opportunities.” In Zimbabwe, he criticized U.S. sanctions targeting both Kenya and Iran. In Uganda, he voiced support for President Museveni’s anti-LGBTQ policies — harshly criticized in the West — by declaring that “Western countries attempt to present homosexuality as a marker of civilization.”

These three visits were far from arbitrary. Kenya and Uganda have plans for nuclear power projects. All three states are rich in natural resources, and Iran, like other global powers, seeks access to critical minerals essential for energy security. Tehran also aims to export oil and petrochemical products to these countries.

Zimbabwe is a particularly noteworthy case: in 2010, it granted Iran permission to establish a base on its territory and even signed a uranium-for-oil deal, though later annulled.

Iran’s Activities in Africa

While Iran seeks influence across the entire continent, it devotes particular attention to East Africa due to its strategic proximity to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden. The region’s religious and cultural makeup — including a notable Shia presence — provides fertile ground for Iran’s soft power strategies.

Tehran has established mosques, seminaries, and foundations in multiple African countries, especially Nigeria, to bring Shia communities together. Much of this outreach is channeled through Al-Mustafa International University, which has 17 branches across Sub-Saharan Africa, with major centers in Nigeria.

Iran also leverages support from the sizable and influential Lebanese Shia diaspora communities on the continent.

Reports indicate that Iran has provided military support to Shia insurgent groups in some West African states, particularly in Nigeria, where Shia cleric Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky — leader of an Islamist movement that clashed with government forces in 2015 — has long been backed by Tehran.

Iranian media also plays a role: Hausa TV, Tehran’s only Africa-focused channel, broadcasts in Hausa (a widely spoken language in West Africa, especially northern Nigeria) as well as English. Iranian media is also prominent in South Africa.

Comparing Iran with Turkey and Saudi Arabia

In shaping its Africa policy, Iran frequently benchmarks itself against Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

Despite Raisi’s efforts to expand cooperation, Iran’s diplomatic and economic presence remains limited compared to those two regional powers. Tehran has around 20 embassies in Africa, while Turkey has 44 and Saudi Arabia 35.

Economically, the gap is even wider. In 2022, Turkey’s trade volume with Africa reached $40.7 billion, and Saudi Arabia’s $45 billion, whereas Iran’s was only $1.2 billion. Tehran aims to increase this to $10 billion within the next three years.

Arms Supplies: A Tool for Influence

Alongside high-level diplomatic and trade initiatives, Iran has also pursued weapons transfers as part of a broader strategy. Tehran sees arms supplies not only as a way to exert political influence but also as an economic necessity under the weight of U.S. and Western sanctions.

Reports claim Iran has established a proxy network in Somalia through financial incentives, using the country since 2016 as a conduit to transfer weapons to Houthi rebels in Yemen.

According to a report by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Iran’s arms smuggling networks have extended to groups linked to al-Shabaab in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Mozambique, fueling instability in the Horn of Africa.

Countries such as Djibouti, Sudan, Eritrea, and Senegal have also signed military agreements with Tehran. By fostering these ties, Iran aims to bolster its influence in the Horn of Africa while countering isolation imposed by Western powers.

Yet, like every global and regional power, Iran’s activities in Africa generate as much backlash as they do support. In some states, its weapons transfers have fueled violence and instability; in others, its promotion of Shia ideology has raised concerns. As a result, Tehran is not always viewed as a reliable partner.

This article was originally published in Independent Türkçe, on May 15,2024.