Kazakhstan has hailed its recent diplomatic visit to Nigeria as a major success, marking a new chapter in economic cooperation and investment opportunities between the two nations.
Key Highlights of the Visit
Leading a 30-member delegation, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alibek Kuantyrov, emphasized the strong potential for trade and investment between both countries.
One of the major milestones of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria’s TAJ Bank to support the establishment of an Islamic banking system in Kazakhstan.
The agreement aims to leverage Nigeria’s wealth of experience in Islamic finance to help Kazakhstan develop its financial sector.
The visit was facilitated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, as part of efforts to foster deeper economic and cultural collaboration between Nigeria and Kazakhstan.
“This visit has been very successful, and we look forward to further engagement. We are also expecting a Nigerian business delegation to Kazakhstan soon, led by His Royal Majesty,” Kuantyrov stated.
Boosting Trade & Investment Opportunities
Kazakhstan’s trade volume with Nigeria currently stands at less than $1 million, but Kuantyrov expressed optimism about significantly increasing this figure through targeted investments in key sectors, including:
✅ Agriculture – Direct importation of Nigerian cocoa beans for Kazakhstan’s chocolate industry
✅ Oil & Gas – Technology and expertise exchange to develop petroleum resources
✅ ICT & AI – Strengthening digital partnerships in smart technology, cost monitoring, and e-governance
✅ Solid Minerals – Collaborative projects in mining and mineral exploration
Expanding Bilateral Relations
Beyond trade, both nations discussed diplomatic matters, including visa agreements and international cooperation.
“We had extensive discussions with Nigerian government officials, including the Ministers of Agriculture, Oil & Gas, and Digital Economy.
These conversations were focused on strengthening bilateral trade and investment,” Kuantyrov added.
He also highlighted Kazakhstan’s interest in exporting high-quality wheat to Nigeria, further expanding trade partnerships in the agricultural sector.
With plans for continued dialogue and investment projects, this visit marks the beginning of a stronger economic relationship between Nigeria and Kazakhstan.
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