Nigeria and Kazakhstan to Strengthen Cooperation in Agriculture, Trade, and Technology
Nigeria and Kazakhstan are preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance bilateral relations, with a particular focus on agriculture, trade, and information technologies. A 30-member delegation, led by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov, is currently visiting Nigeria to explore collaboration opportunities. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, played a key role in facilitating the meeting, which involved both public and private sector leaders from Kazakhstan.
During a conference organized to discuss potential areas of collaboration, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, highlighted the country’s strategic blueprint for the digital economy, which includes six focus areas for partnership. One of these, knowledge and capacity building, aligns with Kazakhstan’s advanced ICT sector, and both nations are keen to collaborate in artificial intelligence. Tijani emphasized Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to train millions of technical talents, a goal that could benefit both countries.
In the agriculture sector, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, stressed the potential for mutual cooperation, offering Nigeria’s abundant agricultural products for partnership with Kazakhstan. The two countries are expected to discuss further opportunities for investment and collaboration, particularly in areas such as agricultural technology and sustainable practices. Kazakhstan, with its experience in agriculture, is seen as a valuable partner in supporting Nigeria’s growing sector.
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kuantyrov, noted that the large youth populations in both nations present a significant opportunity for economic growth and collaboration. He emphasized Kazakhstan’s expertise in ICT, AI, and FinTech and expressed interest in opening banking and fintech ventures in Nigeria. The Ooni of Ife, who helped arrange the meeting, praised President Bola Tinubu for his proactive role in advancing these discussions, particularly the new visa policies that will facilitate Nigerian talent in tech fields to work in Kazakhstan.
SOURCE: ARISE