A few days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Kenya India's prime minister Narendra Modi is next on the line.
He is set to tour the country with the intention of raising India's profile in energy, trade and investment.
He has kicked off a four-nation African tour on a continent where China's presence has been strong.
The premier started Thursday in Mozambique, after which he will proceed to South Africa, Tanzania and later Kenya.
India's foreign ministry has described the four countries as economic gateways to landlocked African states. According to India's government, Mozambique alone receives almost a quarter of India's investment in Africa.
A number of agreements are expected to be signed with each country and energy and food security will be key issues.
“Mozambique soon will be the world's third-largest exporter of natural gas after Qatar and Australia,” India’s foreign the ministry said.
None of the Indian airline has direct connections with Africa and India hopes to sign civil aviation agreements to introduce direct flights.
Modi is expected to meet with the Indian community in Kenya which has 80, 000 of Indian origin.