According to Farzad Piltan, Director General of the African Affairs Office at Iran's Trade Promotion Organization (TPO), Iran's exports to African nations witnessed a remarkable 85% surge during the first quarter of the current Iranian year (March 21 – June 21), reaching $721 million compared to $389 million in the same period last year. This significant growth in exports has led to a substantial increase in Iran's trade surplus with African countries, more than doubling to $591 million from $277 million in the previous year's corresponding period. Piltan attributed this positive trade performance to the efforts of the TPO and the private sector in identifying new export markets and diversifying trade partners. He emphasized the importance of strengthening economic ties with African nations, which offer vast potential for Iranian businesses to expand their reach and tap into new opportunities. The top African destinations for Iranian exports during the first quarter included South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Sudan. Major exported goods encompassed petrochemicals, steel products, foodstuffs, and construction materials, among others. Piltan highlighted the competitive advantages of Iranian products in terms of quality and pricing, which have contributed to their growing popularity in African markets. Looking ahead, the TPO aims to further bolster trade relations with African countries by facilitating business-to-business interactions, organizing trade delegations, and participating in international exhibitions. Piltan expressed confidence that the upward trend in exports and trade surplus would continue, positioning Iran as a significant economic partner for the African continent.