By: Kayhan Int’l Staff Writer

Better late than never could be the term for the revival of Iran’s age-old ties with Africa after an unexplained decade-long drought of presidential visits to that continent, which is actually part of our neighbourhood.
Thanks to the visit of President Hojjat al-Islam Seyyed Ibrahim Raisi to Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, prospects have again brightened for growth of Iran’s relations with Africa, where in its south, east, and west, it had become active on a grand scale in the economic, industrial, agricultural, fisheries, cultural, political, and religious sectors following the triumph of the Islamic Revolution and the enthusiasm of the African people for the dynamic ideas of Imam Khomeini (RA).
It should be recalled that Iran’s Jihad Sazandagi (Reconstruction Jihad) was once very active and had helped several African countries achieve development in various fields before dormancy set in since 2013.
Anyway, Presidency has made a good start during his one-day visit to Nairobi at the invitation of his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto, resulting in the signing of five agreements in various fields.
Iran has set up “House of Innovation and Technology” in the Kenyan capital, and it is one of the leading centres in the development of the export of knowledge-based products.
During the brief visit, to the delight of the Kenyan people, the Pelikan multipurpose agricultural drone and Dorna mapping drone, both manufactured by Iranian knowledge-based companies, were introduced.
Over 35 Iranian companies active at this centre have introduced their products to Kenya in the fields of medicine, medical equipment, agriculture, construction and architecture.
Last night, President Raisi arrived in Kamapla on the second leg of his trip and was given a warm welcome by his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
He is expected to conclude several agreements for growth of bilateral relations in this east African country before departing for Harare, Zimbabwe, on the last leg of his trip.
There are thousands of acres of lands in the region purchased by the Islamic Republic for development of agriculture and industry that have unfortunately not been properly utilized.
It should be noted that a thousand years ago, the Kilwa Sultanate was founded in East Africa by the Iranian prince Ali ibn Hussain of Shiraz, whose legacy in the form of architectural ruins lies throughout the entire length of the Swahili coast. The Swahili language spoken by the local people contains many Persian words.