Iran’s Pivot to Africa — Ideological Expansion on a New Continent
Introduction
As Iran’s influence in the Middle East is met with resistance, the regime is turning its attention toward Africa—a continent rich in natural resources and vulnerable to ideological infiltration.
Decades in the Making
For over 40 years, Iran has laid ideological groundwork in Africa through religious missions and media operations.
Qom Seminary’s African Graduates
Over 5,000 African nationals trained at Iran’s Qom Seminary now serve as imams across Africa. An equal number are currently in training—creating a systematic wave of influence across mosques and schools.
Strategic Placement
From Djibouti and Niger to Cameroon and Guinea, Iranian-funded imams are reshaping ideologies. The Sahel region—where French and Arabic intersect—is particularly susceptible.
