Iran and Sub‑Saharan Africa: Relations in Turbulent Times

In this episode of the WASSAP podcast, we explore a less frequently discussed dimension of Africa–West Asia relations: Iran’s engagement with the African continent and how African actors navigate their relationships with Iran. Hosts Désirée Custers and Hubert Kinkoh are joined by Ambassador Frederic Gateretse‑Ngoga and Dr. Hamid Talebian, who bring institutional and research perspectives on Iran–Africa relations. Together, they unpack how Iran engages with African countries across diplomatic, economic, security, and cultural domains, and how its approach compares to that of Gulf actors. The conversation also situates Iran–Africa relations within broader geopolitical and security dynamics, including the interconnections between the Red Sea, the Horn of Africa, and West Asia, as well as the impact of global conflicts and shifting power structures. A key focus of the episode is African agency, highlighting how African states and institutions actively manage their partnerships with Iran — leveraging relationships, navigating global rivalries, and pursuing their own strategic interests. At the same time, the episode addresses risks such as economic shocks, security spillovers, and geopolitical competition, while pointing to opportunities for African actors to strengthen coordination, economic integration, and strategic autonomy. The WASSAP podcast is supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation.