Over the past month, Iran hosted 700 businesspeople from 38 African countries as part of the third Iran–Africa Summit. This event was accompanied by another festive occasion led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in honor of “Africa Unity Day,” attended by ambassadors from African countries stationed in Tehran. The events were further amplified by a series of tweets from Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, emphasizing the importance of the African continent to Iran.
These activities highlight not only the importance that Iran attributes to Africa but, more significantly, its desire—alongside Russia and China—to exploit the West’s retreat from the continent, particularly that of France. This development, together with the United States’ intention to significantly reduce its diplomatic and military engagement in Africa, has created a vacuum that enables Tehran to expand its economic, diplomatic, and religious presence across the continent.
Iran is working to expand its influence in the Horn of Africa region in cooperation with the Houthis; upgrade its activities in North Africa by leveraging Libya’s complex internal situation and its deep connection with Algeria (a move that threatens Morocco); significantly expand its presence in the Sahel region; maintain strong ties with Shiite communities in West Africa; strengthen its diplomatic relations with South Africa and Zimbabwe; deepen economic ties with Tanzania and Kenya; and tighten its relations with Ethiopia, exploiting the sale of an Iranian UAV system during Ethiopia’s civil war—all signaling that Iran’s reach in Africa continues to grow.
In summary, Iran is placing its bets on the African continent, taking advantage of the political and security vacuum that has emerged due to the severe erosion of Western influence across African countries. Iran is gaining significantly from these ties—economically, diplomatically, and even operationally. For now, there appears to be no force capable of halting its expansionist momentum, especially as both Western and Israeli influence on the continent faces serious challenges.
Over the past month, Iran hosted 700 businesspeople from 38 African countries as part of the third Iran–Africa Summit. This event was accompanied by another festive occasion led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in honor of “Africa Unity Day,” attended by ambassadors from African countries stationed in Tehran. The events were further amplified by a series of tweets from Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, emphasizing the importance of the African continent to Iran.
These activities highlight not only the importance that Iran attributes to Africa but, more significantly, its desire—alongside Russia and China—to exploit the West’s retreat from the continent, particularly that of France. This development, together with the United States’ intention to significantly reduce its diplomatic and military engagement in Africa, has created a vacuum that enables Tehran to expand its economic, diplomatic, and religious presence across the continent.
Iran is working to expand its influence in the Horn of Africa region in cooperation with the Houthis; upgrade its activities in North Africa by leveraging Libya’s complex internal situation and its deep connection with Algeria (a move that threatens Morocco); significantly expand its presence in the Sahel region; maintain strong ties with Shiite communities in West Africa; strengthen its diplomatic relations with South Africa and Zimbabwe; deepen economic ties with Tanzania and Kenya; and tighten its relations with Ethiopia, exploiting the sale of an Iranian UAV system during Ethiopia’s civil war—all signaling that Iran’s reach in Africa continues to grow.
In summary, Iran is placing its bets on the African continent, taking advantage of the political and security vacuum that has emerged due to the severe erosion of Western influence across African countries. Iran is gaining significantly from these ties—economically, diplomatically, and even operationally. For now, there appears to be no force capable of halting its expansionist momentum, especially as both Western and Israeli influence on the continent faces serious challenges.