Our reporter
Nigeria and Kazakhstan have initiated discussions to strengthen economic ties, aiming to boost trade, investment, and technological exchange between the two nations.
The business meeting, which took place in Abuja, was facilitated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, in collaboration with Nigeria-Kazakhstan Business Council on Sunday in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Ooni of Ife emphasized the significance of the collaboration, attributing its success to the proactive leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He highlighted the urgency of economic diversification and praised Kazakhstan’s commitment to engaging with Nigeria directly.
He said, “Our president has shown leadership capacity. He is leading one of the boldest governments in our history. The pain has been enormous, but this is now the time for us to see results,” the Ooni stated.
He noted that two months after Presidents Tinubu and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met in Abu Dhabi, a high-powered delegation from Kazakhstan arrived in Nigeria, ready to engage in trade and investment discussions.
He said, “This partnership will create employment for Nigerian youths, especially in technology. Kazakhstan is changing its visa policy to accommodate talented Nigerians in artificial intelligence, coding, and other tech-related fields. They want a reciprocity program that encourages skill exchange, allowing young people from both nations to collaborate.
“Kazakhstan, with a landmass three times the size of Nigeria and a population of just 20 million, is seeking new trade partners outside Europe and Asia.”
The Ooni stressed that this direct relationship with Nigeria would have a significant impact on trade, particularly in agriculture.
“For instance, Kazakhstan imports cocoa but doesn’t buy directly from Nigeria. They go through Europe. This agreement will change that. It’s not just about oil and gas; we are diversifying, and millions of Nigerian youths will benefit from these initiatives,” he said.
Also speaking, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alibek Kuantyrov, described the meeting as historic, noting that it was the first official business delegation from Kazakhstan to Nigeria.
He reaffirmed his country’s commitment to fostering a long-term partnership with Africa’s largest economy.
He said, “This business mission was made possible by the meeting of our two presidents in Abu Dhabi on January 14. Following their discussions, I was given the mandate to lead a delegation of 30 people, including government officials and top business leaders, to explore the Nigerian market,” Kuantyrov stated.
He emphasized the similarities between the two countries, particularly in terms of youth demographics and economic potential.
“Kazakhstan has a young population, just like Nigeria. We are a peaceful nation and the largest economy in Central Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Similarly, Nigeria leads in Africa. This positions both nations as strategic partners in trade, investment, and technology,” he noted.
Kuantyrov revealed that Kazakhstan is exploring opportunities in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector while offering expertise in agriculture, technology, and satellite monitoring.
“We produce some of the world’s best-quality grain and wheat and are responsible for food security in our region. We want to export our products to Nigeria while also importing Nigerian agricultural products. For instance, Nigerian cocoa is already used in our chocolate production, but we want to source it directly rather than going through European intermediaries,” he explained.
On technology and innovation, Kuantyrov stated that Kazakhstan is keen to collaborate with Nigeria in the fields of fintech, artificial intelligence, and digital governance.
“We aim to train at least one million IT specialists, and Nigerian students studying in Kazakhstan under scholarships will be instrumental in strengthening our ICT relationship. We are also prepared to provide satellite monitoring technology to enhance agricultural productivity in Nigeria,” he added.
Kuantyrov acknowledged the need for an embassy, citing Nigeria’s importance in Africa.
“We currently have limited embassies in Africa, but given Nigeria’s economic significance, this is something we will discuss with our Foreign Ministry,” he stated.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the need for bilateral trade in agriculture.
He noted that Nigeria is seeking foreign investment in agriculture while also leveraging Kazakhstan’s expertise.
He said, “This is a two-way opportunity. We want them to invest in Nigeria while also taking advantage of export opportunities. We’ve worked with countries in the Middle East that import Nigerian red meat, soya, and even grass for livestock. Kazakhstan presents another viable market”.
He revealed that the two nations would hold follow-up meetings to finalize agreements and explore investment channels.
On food inflation, Kyari stated that Nigeria’s recent agricultural reforms have led to a price reduction of up to 40% in staple foods.
However, he urged food processors to pass down the cost savings to consumers.
He said, “The President is committed to ensuring food price stability. Within the next two weeks, we will roll out more price stabilization mechanisms while maintaining incentives for local farmers. We are moving towards year-round food production to boost availability and affordability,” Kyari said.
The Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer, PANA holdings, Dr. Daere Akobo, emphasized the role of the private sector in ensuring the success of the partnership.
He said “Government lays the foundation, but the private sector must take advantage of the opportunities. Kazakhstan offers tax incentives, free trade zones, and industrial partnerships that Nigerian businesses can leverage,” Akobo stated.
