Iran’s Minister of Agriculture Jihad has stated that Iran acts as a bridge linking Kenya and East Africa to the Caucasus and Central Asia. He added that expanding economic cooperation with Kenya, with the goal of reaching $1 billion in trade, is on the agenda of the two countries’ Joint Commission.

 

According to the Ministry’s public relations office, the Iran–Kenya Joint Commission began its work in Nairobi on Monday, August 12, co-chaired by Minister Gholamreza Nouri and Kenyan Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi.

 

Highlighting Kenya’s strategic location in East Africa, Minister Nouri noted that the country’s economic potential provides an excellent basis for strengthening trade and economic relations.

 

Emphasizing agriculture as a key sector of Iran’s economy, he pointed out that Iran is among the world’s leading producers and exporters of pistachios, saffron, and dates.

 

Referring to Iran’s recent advances in greenhouse cultivation and water-efficient farming, Nouri said:

 

 “We are ready to share our achievements and expertise with Kenyan farmers and livestock producers.”

 

Kenya as a Gateway to East African Markets

Nouri underlined that Kenya can serve as an entry point to East African markets and stressed Iran’s interest in deepening cooperation and transferring technical know-how in various fields.

 

He outlined several measures to boost bilateral economic ties, including:

 • Establishing a joint committee to follow up on agreements and signed documents

 • Organizing joint trade exhibitions

 • Strengthening banking cooperation and addressing existing obstacles

 • Long-term planning to position Iran as Kenya’s bridge to the Caucasus and Central Asia

 • Expanding private sector partnerships

 

Nouri stressed that Iran is not solely pursuing economic goals in its engagement with Kenya, but is also seeking to build strategic cooperation across various fields, expressing hope that this meeting will mark the beginning of broader relations between the two nations.

 

Formation of a Joint Committee

Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mudavadi, for his part, emphasized the importance of expanding bilateral trade. He noted that Kenya’s tea exports have grown from over 3,000 tons in 2003 to more than 13,000 tons in 2024 — a remarkable increase.

 

He added that the Kenyan government is keen to remove certain restrictions on tea exports to Iran, creating opportunities to further expand sales to the Iranian market.

 

Mudavadi announced that Iran and Kenya have agreed to establish a joint committee, which will, within 60 days, work to identify and resolve existing issues in cooperation with representatives from both sides. Kenya will appoint a ministerial advisor and a special representative to the committee.