CARPO Podcasts
mit Désirée Custers und Hubert Kinkoh
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.
About the WASSAP podcast
The WASSAP: the Africa – West Asia Podcast translates the findings of a three-year research project on West Asian (Gulf)–Sub-Saharan African relations into an accessible, engaging audio format. It explores how economic, political, cultural, religious, and security ties between selected Gulf countries and African partners are evolving and why these shifts matter globally, particularly for Europe.
Hosts of the podcast are Désirée Custers (project manager, CARPO) & Hubert Kinkoh (Senior Researcher, CARPO)
About the WASSAP project
The project explores the multi-dimensional and complex relations between selected Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iran) and four Sub-Saharan countries (South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia). It aims to deconstruct and analyze their economic networks, cultural and religious affiliations, and political and security cooperation. Based on empirical research, the project provides a better understanding of Gulf-African exchange, its challenges and opportunities, as well as its implications for Europe. The project is financed by the Robert Bosch Foundation and will run for three years.
About the episode
Episode 3: Iran and Sub‑Saharan Africa: Relations in Turbulent Times
Guests:
Ambassador Frederic Gateretse‑Ngoga
Senior Advisor on International Partnerships, AU Border Programme & Regional Security Mechanisms, African Union Commission
Dr. Hamid Talebian
Researcher, GIGA Institute (Hamburg), specializing in Iran’s foreign policy and South–South relations
Show notes
Robert Steele (2024). Pahlavi Iran's Relations with Africa: Cultural and Political Connections in the Cold War. Cambridge University Press
