Iran’s trade with Africa has shown signs of resilience and growth despite the current situation in Iran, according to Iranian officials and data.

According to Ruhollah Latifi, the spokesman of Trade Development Committee of Iran’s House of Industry, Mining and Trade, Iran exported 1.205 million tons of non-oil commodities valued at $434 million to Africa during the first seven months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-October 22), which marked a 53 percent decline in value and a 33 percent drop in weight compared to the same period last year.

However, Latifi also announced that Iran imported 38,122 tons of goods valued at $47.434 million from Africa in the same period, showing a 21 percent increase in value and a 42 percent rise in weight year on year.

He added that the value of trade between Iran and Africa rose two percent in the past Iranian calendar year 1401 (ended on March 20), reaching 2.545 million tons worth $1.278 billion.

Iran exported 2.452 million tons of products valued at $1.183 billion to 49 African countries in the past year, while it imported 92,898 tons of goods worth $95.316 million from 23 African countries.

He also expressed optimism about the prospects of Iran-Africa trade, saying that Iran has taken steps to facilitate the trade route with Africa and to use the continent’s capacity as a suitable market for Iranian goods.

He cited the visit of about 60 African trade delegations, the active presence in the exhibitions of the continent, the opening of 10 trade centers, and the dispatch of three commercial attachés as some of the measures taken by Iran to develop relations with Africa.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy Mehdi Safari also highlighted the importance of Iran-Africa cooperation, saying that the economies of Iran and the African continent are complementary to each other, and due to their abundant capacities, significant achievements can be achieved in this regard.

Safari said that Iran has never given up on its principled policy towards Africa due to political and cultural commonalities, despite the sanctions, pressure and disruptions of the West, and has always maintained itself alongside the people and countries of Africa.

He added that Iran is ready to share its experiences and achievements in various fields such as health, agriculture, energy, industry, science and technology, and education with African countries.

He also called for the expansion of banking, transportation, and customs cooperation between Iran and Africa to facilitate trade and investment.

The IRAN WAC meeting was attended by representatives of 15 West African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Benin, Niger, Burkina Faso, Togo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Cape Verde.