Kenya is ready to grant Kazakhstan access to its seaports
Kenya is ready to grant Kazakhstan access to its seaports, reports «24KZ». For Kazakhstan, this creates an opportunity to enter the markets of East Africa — a large and still relatively untapped region. Kazakhstan, in turn, plans to export grain, fertilizers, metal products, and processed goods there.
These issues were discussed in Astana during a business forum attended by the presidents of both countries. Lions, elephants, savannahs, and the Maasai tribe — for many people, Kenya is associated precisely with these images. But behind this tourist image lies one of the fastest-growing economies on the continent. The country is considered the business hub of East Africa, while its ports, transport system, and financial infrastructure make it a key logistics center for the entire region. Kazakhstan, for example, is already considering imports of Kenyan tea, coffee, and flowers.
Gabidulla Ospankulov, Chairman of the Investment Committee of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
- There is interest in exporting Kenyan tea in large containers, unpackaged. In other words, establishing a packaging hub in Kazakhstan with subsequent exports to the Eurasian market.
Kazakhstan’s interest is highly pragmatic. According to UN forecasts, by the middle of the century, one in four people on the planet will live in Africa. This means demand for food products, fertilizers, construction materials, and industrial goods will continue to grow. Kazakhstan hopes to secure part of this market already now.
John Mwenda, Director of the Kenya Investment Authority:
- Opportunities for cooperation exist in virtually every sector. Today, flowers sold in Kazakhstan mostly arrive through the Netherlands, even though they are grown in Kenya. The same applies to coffee and tea. We want to expand direct supplies and develop high value-added products specifically for the Kazakh market. In addition, we are interested in Kazakh fertilizers. Kazakhstan is a major player in this industry, and for Kenyan farmers this is an opportunity to increase productivity. We are counting on mutually beneficial cooperation so that Kenyan business becomes more active in Kazakhstan, and Kazakh business in Kenya.
Particular attention is focused on the Kenyan ports of Mombasa and Lamu. For Kazakhstan, a landlocked country, this represents a real opportunity to expand transport routes and gain access to the markets of several East African states. In fact, this is about creating a new export corridor.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
- Kazakhstan is ready to cooperate with the Kenyan ports of Mombasa and Lamu — the largest transport and logistics hubs in East Africa. The use of these ports will significantly optimize Kazakhstan’s exports of metal products, construction materials, as well as agricultural and food products. In addition to maritime transit, the development of air connections will help accelerate cargo delivery as much as possible. Kazakhstan’s open skies regime serves as a strong incentive for attracting global air carriers.
Africa also possesses enormous natural resources. Around one-third of the world’s mineral reserves are concentrated there, including rare metals essential for high technologies. Kazakhstan is prepared to participate in these projects both as an investor and as a technological partner.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
- We see significant potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in geology, exploration, mining, and processing. Kazakhstan is ready to share its knowledge and experience in this field. We welcome the signing of an agreement between Samruk-Kazyna and NAMICO on implementing investment projects in Kenya, including the search, evaluation, and promotion of initiatives in subsoil use and geological exploration.
Kenyan businesses, for their part, are studying Kazakhstan’s opportunities. They are interested in investment conditions, logistics, and access to Central Asian markets. According to both sides, establishing direct flights between the countries is essential for this purpose.
William Ruto, President of Kenya:
- I urge the business leaders gathered here to move from dialogue to agreements, from networking to investments capable of creating jobs and developing industry for the benefit of our countries. We see great prospects in establishing direct flights between Astana and Nairobi to strengthen business ties. I also want to assure you that the logistics ports of Mombasa and Lamu will be available to Kazakh companies interested in entering the East African market.
In the near future, a delegation of Kazakh entrepreneurs will travel to Kenya to study the local market and identify specific areas for cooperation. Separate business councils and an intergovernmental commission may also soon be established. For Kazakhstan, Africa remains a relatively new direction, but judging by the negotiations, serious strategic importance is being attached to it.
Authors: Raul Gabitov, Marat Dikhanbayev