Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for a four-nation tour of African countries on Wednesday night. The visit is aimed at enhancing ties with that continent, particularly in the economic sphere and people-to-people contacts.

Mr. Modi begins the five-day tour with Mozambique. He will then travel to South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya. The focus of the visit will be on deepening cooperation in hydrocarbons, maritime security, trade and investment, agriculture and food.

It's the time for Africa. 5 days, 4 nations - Here’s the PM's itinerary over the coming days >pic.twitter.com/xcBie6BWxl — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) >July 6, 2016

“My Africa tour, aimed at enhancing ties between India & Africa will begin from Mozambique in a brief but key visit,” he tweeted ahead of his departure.

“My programmes in South Africa will span across Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban & Pietermaritzburg,” he added. “In Tanzania I will hold talks with President Dr. John Magufuli, meet ‘Solar Mamas’ and interact with Indian community,” he said.

On Kenya visit, he tweeted, “Talks with President @UKenyatta, deliberations on economic & people-to-people ties will be focus of my Kenya visit.”

Giving details in Facebook posts, the Prime Minister said the aim of his visit to Mozambique was to increase cooperation and boost cultural linkages. “I will meet President Filipe Nyusi and hold extensive talks with him,” he said.

Other programmes include a meeting with Veronica Macamo, President of the National Assembly, and a visit to the S&T Park, Maluana, where he will interact with students. He will also interact with the Indian community briefly.

Tracing Mahatma's footsteps in South Africa

On Thursday evening, Mr. Modi will travel to South Africa, a country he described as an “important strategic partner, with whom our ties are historical and deep-rooted.”

He said:

“History is witness to how Mahatma Gandhi’s stay in South Africa impacted him and the history of the world. He went to South Africa as a lawyer seeking work and returned to India as a strong voice for humanitarian values, who would go on to shape the history of humankind.

“I will have the honour to visit Phoenix Settlement and Pietermaritzburg Station, two places very closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi’s stay in South Africa.

“A visit to South Africa is incomplete without remembering the beloved Madiba [Nelson Mandela]. I will also be honoured to visit the Constitutional Hill and Nelson Mandela Foundation where I would pay my tributes to an icon of human history, who made his country and the world a much better place.”

Mr. Modi will meet President Jacob Zuma as also Cyril Ramaphosa, the Deputy President.

“In an effort to boost our economic ties, I will speak at the India-South Africa business meet,” he said.

On July 10, he will be in Tanzania for a “brief but crucial visit” to give an impetus to ties. ''Tanzania is a valued friend in Africa,'' Mr. Modi said.

Mr. Modi will visit Kenya on the evening of July 10.

“India-Kenya ties have stood the test of time. Both our nations have had very strong people-to-people ties and both nations have successfully fought colonialism in the previous century,” he said.