Iranian Ambassador to Kenya. Photo/courtesy.
Iran and Kenya aim to strengthen their bilateral relations through religious exchange programs and peace initiatives, while also deepening trade and cultural ties.
Ali Gholampour, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Kenya, emphasized that fostering dialogue and cultural exchange is a strategic approach to addressing key geopolitical challenges.
“Through such engagement, we can understand each other better. This mutual understanding will enable us to solidify our bilateral relations,” Gholampour stated.
The two nations have been working to enhance their cooperation since 2023, following the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to Kenya, during which 22 agreements were signed to advance their partnership.
The agreements between Iran and Kenya encompass various sectors, including education, health, infrastructure, scholarships, water, fisheries and agriculture.
According to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the trade value between the two nations stood at Sh9.3 billion in 2022. The balance of trade favored Kenya, with exports worth Sh5.9 billion compared to imports valued at Sh3.4 billion. Kenya’s key exports to Iran include tea, coffee, fruits, fish and textiles, while its main imports from Iran are chemicals, fuels and plastics.
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Ambassador Ali Gholampour highlighted that recent engagements represent a significant milestone in promoting cross-cultural dialogue. He also underscored the importance of religion and community involvement in addressing modern challenges related to peace and coexistence.
The ambassador expressed concern over the volatile situations in regions such as the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, pointing to ongoing conflicts in Somalia, Sudan and Gaza as significant obstacles to fostering stronger international relations.
“What these regions need most is peace, tolerance and dialogue to address differences and resolve conflicts peacefully,” said Gholampour. “Religions play a vital role in guiding followers toward peaceful resolutions to conflicts and disagreements.”
With their strategic locations, Iran and Kenya serve as crucial gateways to their respective regions, further underscoring the importance of their collaboration.
