Iran, Kenya target $1b trade boost at joint economic meeting in Nairobi
Iranian Minister of Agriculture Gholamreza Nouri Qezeljeh announced on Tuesday that Iran and Kenya had launched their seventh joint Economic Committee meeting in the capital Nairobi to deepen economic ties, with both sides setting a target to boost annual trade to $1.0 billion from the current $150 million.
The two-day meeting, co-chaired by Iran’s agriculture minister and Kenya’s prime and foreign minister, hosted more than 100 representatives from government ministries and the private sector of the two countries.
Nouri Qezeljeh underscored Kenya’s strategic location in East Africa and its economic potential, saying Iran is ready to share expertise in greenhouse cultivation and water-efficient farming, as well as its experience in producing and exporting crops such as pistachios, saffron and dates.
The minister said Iran sees Kenya as a gateway to regional markets and plans to expand cooperation beyond trade to include strategic and technical partnerships.
"The official trade volume between Iran and Kenya currently exceeds $150 million, and this figure is expected to increase to $1 billion in the near future," Nouri Qezeljeh said, stressing that such interactions will pave the way for upgrading economic and cultural relations between the two countries.
The two sides also hashed out creating a joint committee to follow up on agreements, holding joint exhibitions, enhancing banking cooperation, and facilitating private-sector participation.
Kenya’s prime and foreign minister, for his part, noted that Kenyan tea exports have grown from over 3,000 tons in 2003 to more than 13,000 tons in 2024.
He said Nairobi aims to remove remaining export restrictions to Iran and agreed with Tehran to form a joint body to address trade barriers within 60 days, particularly in the tea sector.
"We encourage Kenyan traders and businesspeople to benefit from the rare capacities and capabilities that exist in Iran. The joint commission for cooperation between the two countries can be an important factor in strengthening convergence and developing bilateral cooperation," Kenya’s prime and foreign minister said.
The committee is expected to sign multiple cooperation documents covering agriculture, health care, cultural exchanges, construction, and overseas farming projects, with officials from both countries saying the outcome will lay the groundwork for a significant expansion of bilateral and regional engagement.