What Happened: Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo wrapped a weeklong Africa tour during which he signed vaccine export and energy deals with Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique, Nikkei Asia reported on Aug. 24. Indonesia will also develop palm oil plantations in Kenya.

Why It Matters: The deals are part of Indonesia’s global outreach and quest for new markets in which to sell its pharmaceutical products, as well as palm oil in the wake of Europe’s ban on the commodity that enters into effect in 2026. Indonesia is also seeking to import raw commodities (such as lithium) needed to produce batteries and electric vehicles. As regional trade centers and economic leaders, Kenya and Tanzania will enable Indonesia to establish a trade foothold in East Africa, and Indonesia will likely seek to establish preferential trade arrangements with them and other African countries. Indonesia will likely reach out to other markets in the near future, such as South America.

Background: The governments of all three African countries released statements celebrating the strengthening of economic ties across the Indian Ocean. The trip comes after Jokowi visited Australia earlier in August in search of lithium and during the BRICS summit in South Africa, which Jokowi attended as an observer. Indonesia already has a preferential trade arrangement with Mozambique.