The Third Iran-Africa Economic Cooperation Conference in Tehran aims to strengthen economic ties between Iran and over 50 African nations. President Masoud Pezeshkian announced Iran’s willingness to share advancements in healthcare, trade, and agriculture. The event features specialized panels on critical industries like petrochemicals, mining, and health. Scheduled from April 27 to May 1, it coincides with the Iran Expo 2025, showcasing Iran’s commitment to international trade. Officials emphasized the potential for increasing trade, currently at only 3% of Iran’s exports to Africa. The conference serves as a platform for building lasting partnerships and collaborative opportunities.
Iran is striving to become a key energy exchange hub to enhance its regional influence, as part of the Seventh Five-Year Development Plan (2024-28). At the inaugural meeting of the Regional Energy Trade Strategic Committee, officials underscored the plan’s goals: addressing energy imbalances, reducing industry losses, and strengthening Iran’s market position. Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad highlighted energy swap agreements with neighboring countries as crucial for balancing supply and fostering cooperation. The committee, established within six months of the relevant law, will oversee policies and contracts to optimize energy management, targeting significant gas exports and electricity exchanges annually.
Mohammadreza Qaderi, executive secretary of the Kish Expo, emphasized the event’s importance in Iran’s Seventh National Development Plan, aiming for $200 billion in investments over five years. Following last year’s successful expo, which attracted 30 countries and 156 foreign companies, this year’s event will benefit from strong government support and international collaborations. The previous expo facilitated $500 million in investment agreements, with a 70% rise in approved foreign investment licenses this year, reaching $900 million. Scheduled for December 9-14, 2025, the Kish Expo aims to strengthen Iran’s economic ties and position Kish Island as a regional trade hub.
Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, announced that a contract with Russia for the Rasht-Astara railroad line will be signed next month, enhancing regional connectivity and trade. Sadegh emphasized Iran’s commitment to active diplomacy in the transport sector, following her recent visits to Azerbaijan and Pakistan. The project is crucial for completing the International North-South Transport Corridor, improving transport links, and positioning Iran as a transit intermediary between Pakistan and Eurasia. These infrastructure developments are vital for regional cooperation and economic growth, reinforcing Iran’s strategic role in enhancing connectivity and trade with neighboring countries.
In a meeting with the Belarusian ambassador in Tehran, Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization head, Mohammad Ali Dehghan Dehnavi, emphasized the need to enhance trade cooperation between Iran and Belarus. He highlighted the potential of a joint commission meeting to address trade challenges and promote mutual benefits across various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and technology. Both nations are committed to identifying and removing trade barriers and fostering deeper economic integration. The upcoming 18th session of the Iran-Belarus Joint Commission is expected to facilitate further collaboration and strengthen economic ties, paving the way for a prosperous future in trade relations.