Kazakhstan Pursues New Partnerships Across Africa

Kazakhstan is strengthening its ties with Africa through strategic, long-term partnerships grounded in mutual benefit and respect, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alibek Kuantyrov stated during the panel session “Kazakhstan and Africa: New Frontiers of Cooperation” at the Astana International Forum on May 30. The session focused on deepening collaboration in trade, industrial development, technology exchange, and sustainable growth. Attendees included Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Denis Christel Sassou N’Guesso, Congo’s Minister of International Cooperation; and Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the traditional ruler of Ife, Nigeria. According to Kuantyrov, trade between Kazakhstan and African countries rose by 15% in 2024, reaching $783 million. He highlighted growing interest in bilateral investment, particularly in agriculture, logistics, digital technologies, pharmaceuticals, and industrial manufacturing. “Kazakhstan approaches its dialogue with Africa not from a donor perspective, but as an equal partner,” Kuantyrov said. “We are ready to trade, co-invest, and share experience in green energy, digital governance, agri-processing, and logistics. As Africa becomes a center of global growth, the time is right to build multidimensional partnerships based on mutual respect, pragmatism, and sustainable development.” Sectoral Opportunities and Joint Ventures The discussion outlined specific areas of cooperation, such as the supply of halal and organic products to African markets and the creation of joint agri-processing clusters. Kuantyrov noted that Kazakhstan, one of the world’s top flour exporters, is well positioned to contribute to food security across the continent. Additional areas of proposed collaboration included telecommunications infrastructure, smart city solutions, and satellite technologies. Kuantyrov underscored Kazakhstan’s readiness to partner with African nations in developing advanced digital ecosystems. One example of African investment in Kazakhstan is a $33 million full-cycle pharmaceutical plant being built by Egyptian firm EIPICO. The project signals a growing reciprocal interest in industrial collaboration. Kazakhstan-Nigeria Roundtable Highlights Shared Priorities On the sidelines of the forum, a Kazakhstan-Nigeria roundtable convened representatives from Kazakhstan’s agro-industrial and IT sectors and Nigerian business leaders in finance and technology. The discussion centered on expanding economic ties, with particular attention to the export of Kazakh agricultural goods and cooperation on digitalization and urban innovation. The dialogue affirmed that both sides see strong potential in leveraging their respective strengths to drive sustainable growth and economic modernization.