Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi received a red-carpet welcome from Kenyan counterpart William Ruto on Wednesday as he began a three-country tour of Africa that Tehran has touted as a “new beginning” in relations with the continent.
Iranian and Kenyan ministers announced the signature of five memorandums of understanding related to information technology, fisheries, livestock products and investment promotion.
The Iranian President arrived in Kenya a day later than scheduled, but no reason for the delay was given.
Africa is a “continent of opportunities” and a “great platform for Iranian products”, he told journalists in a briefing in Nairobi, hinting at close trade ties.
“None of us is satisfied with the current volume of trade,” he said.
President Raisi has turned to Latin America and Africa in the hope of shoring up foreign alliances amid crippling US sanctions which were reimposed in 2018 after Washington withdrew from a negotiated nuclear deal.
Tehran is also under scrutiny from Western countries for issues such as its weapon supplies to Russia, the stalled nuclear talks and its crackdown on anti-regime protesters last autumn.
President Raisi described his trip to Kenya as a “turning point” in relations, while Mr Ruto said Tehran is a “critical strategic partner” for his nation.
Iran plans to set up a manufacturing plant for Iranian vehicles in Kenya's port city of Mombasa, the Kenyan president said.
Mr Raisi embarked on a tour of Latin America last month, which included Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba, in attempts to bolster political and economic ties with countries also under US sanctions.
Foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said the trip, the first of an Iranian leader to Africa in more than a decade, will see trade with the continent rise to $2 billion this year.
President Raisi will leave Kenya for Uganda, before travelling to Zimbabwe, which is also under US sanctions.
Iran has made several major rapprochements this year, most significantly with Saudi Arabia, rekindling ties with Riyadh in March after a seven-year rift.
It has looked at closer ties with Algeria, with Mr Raisi meeting Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf in Tehran at the weekend, as well as Egypt and Morocco.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The%C2%A0specs%20
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Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Company%20Profile
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Final scores
18 under: Tyrrell Hatton (ENG)
- 14: Jason Scrivener (AUS)
-13: Rory McIlroy (NIR)
-12: Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP)
-11: David Lipsky (USA), Marc Warren (SCO)
-10: Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Chris Paisley (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG), Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR)
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
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Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.6-litre V6
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 310hp
Torque: 366Nm
Price: Dh200,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20Sandman
%3Cp%3ECreators%3A%20Neil%20Gaiman%2C%20David%20Goyer%2C%20Allan%20Heinberg%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Tom%20Sturridge%2C%20Boyd%20Holbrook%2C%20Jenna%20Coleman%20and%20Gwendoline%20Christie%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
