ALMATY – Nearly 85% of all overland cargo traffic between China and Europe passes through Kazakhstan, and now Astana is looking further south toward Africa. During the Kazakhstan–Kenya Business Forum on May 20 in Astana, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed linking the Middle Corridor with East Africa’s major maritime routes through Kenya’s ports of Mombasa and Lamu, while also calling for direct flights between Astana and Nairobi.
Kazakhstan, Kenya seek to build economic bridge between Central Asia and East Africa as Kazakhstan–Kenya Business Forum took place in Astana on May 20. Photo credit: Akorda. The initiative reflects Kazakhstan’s broader effort to position itself as a strategic logistics, investment and technology hub connecting Eurasia and Africa, reported the Akorda.
According to Tokayev, Kazakhstan expressed interest in using Kenyan ports to optimize exports of metals, construction materials, agricultural and food products. Tokayev also proposed exploring cargo air routes between the two countries as a first step toward eventually launching direct passenger flights between Astana and Nairobi.
Kenyan President William Ruto welcomed the initiative, saying Kenya was ready to support Kazakhstan’s access to East African markets. “We can together create a new economic bridge between Central Asia and Africa,” he said. He also confirmed that Kenya is interested in establishing a logistics hub in Astana for Kenyan exports entering Eurasian markets.
Kazakhstan proposes business council and logistics partnership Tokayev proposed establishing a Kazakhstan–Kenya Business Council, launching regular trade missions and creating an expert group focused on transport and logistics infrastructure. He also said Kazakhstan plans to send a delegation of business representatives to Kenya to study local business practices and investment opportunities.
President Tokayev described Kazakhstan as the largest economy in Central Asia, citing 6.5% economic growth and noting that small and medium-sized businesses account for nearly 40% of the country’s economy. Tokayev also promoted Kazakhstan’s recently introduced Altyn Visa program, which offers tax and migration incentives for foreign investors and highly qualified specialists.
“I invite Kenyan business leaders to consider Kazakhstan as a strategic destination for investment, growth and long-term partnership,” he said.