Alfred Mutua Seals Ksh 772M Deal With Iran

Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua on Wednesday, March 8, announced that Kenya will export 40 to 50 tonnes of sheep meat per day with an estimated value of Ksh772 million per month.

The CS made the announcement after holding talks with Dr. Jafar Barmaki, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Nairobi.

“On trade, it was agreed that Kenya will export 40 to 50 tonnes of sheep and meat per day to Iran with an estimated export value of Ksh772 million per month. Further, we agreed on Kenya exporting 10,000 tonnes of onions to Iran in addition to tea,” read the statement.

CS for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Dr. Alfred Mutua (right) and Iranian Ambassador to Kenya Dr. Jafar Barmaki (left) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Offices in Nairobi on March 8, 2023.

Alfred Mutua

The meeting centred on trade, development, and cooperation between Kenya and Iran.

Dr Mutua noted that his ministry would cut the red tape that caused the government of Iran to withdraw Ksh40 million meant for nanotechnology research in Kenyan universities.

The CS extolled the Iran House of Innovation and Technology (IHIT) Centre initiative.

It is credited with aiding the development of Kenyan startups. He added that the discussion also covered scholarships for Kenyans to study in Iran as well as the possibility of a visa-free regime between the two countries.

Statistically, Iran is one of the largest markets of Kenyan tea. Iran buys more than 10 million kilograms of tea annually.

According to the United Nations Comtrade database, Kenya exported products worth Ksh2.6 billion in 2021. In the same year, the country imported Iranian products worth Ksh4 billion.

In January 2022, the former Iranian Ambassador to Kenya Hossein Givzadeh noted the geopolitical significance of Kenya and other East African countries.

He noted, “East African countries are Iran’s primary point of contact with Africa and our trade relations with them are at the highest level.”

The new trade deal came on the back of far-reaching sanctions on Iran by the United States and European Union Member States.

Through the hustler narrative, President William Ruto’s government is prioritising the creation of a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.