Drivers of Iran’s Africa Engagement: An Analysis of High-Level Leadership Visits

The nuanced dynamics of Iran’s engagement with Africa have captivated the attention of a broad spectrum of analysts and academicians. Endeavoring to elucidate the underpinnings of Tehran’s involvement on the continent, these scholars have posited a variety of determinants, yet the empirical validation of these factors remains largely unexplored. Leveraging a comprehensive dataset of Iran’s high-level diplomatic visits to African nations, this study seeks to critically assess the relevance and explanatory capacity of the determinants in the literature. Our findings indicate that ideological imperatives, market needs and access to strategic resources predominantly fuel Iran’s interests in Africa.