Iran’s Zarif arrives in Nigeria on key Africa tour

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has arrived in Nigeria on the first leg of a key four-nation tour of West Africa to improve bilateral diplomatic and trade relations.

Heading a high-profile politico-economic delegation, Zarif departed Tehran for the Nigerian capital, Abuja, on Sunday evening and arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport early on Monday.
During his stay in Abuja, the top Iranian diplomat is scheduled to meet and exchange viewpoints on various issues of mutual interest with senior Nigerian officials.
Zarif’s tour will then take him to Ghana, Guinea-Conakry and Mali.
The Iranian foreign minister has already paid two official visits to Africa. He visited Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and Tanzania in February 2015, marking the opening of a new chapter in the Islamic Republic’s ties with African countries.
The Iranian foreign minister also paid a visit to the North African countries of Tunisia and Algeria in August 2015.