New Horizons of Cooperation: Kazakhstan and Nigeria Discuss Investments and Technology
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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Alibek Kuantyrov held meetings with senior officials from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, and other key government agencies. These discussions as part of the official visit of the Kazakh delegation are aimed to enhance economic and political cooperation between the two nations, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
During talks with Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, the two sides explored opportunities for strengthening collaboration on international platforms, including the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and other multilateral formats. The discussions also covered economic cooperation, with an emphasis on boosting direct engagement between the business communities of both countries.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan underscored the importance of strengthening ties with Nigeria, noting that the meeting between the presidents of Kazakhstan and Nigeria in Abu Dhabi in January 2025 set an ambitious pace for cooperation and outlined promising areas of engagement. "To enhance trade relations, we propose establishing direct connections between the business sectors of Kazakhstan and Nigeria, organizing trade missions, and addressing bilateral trade challenges together. Strengthening these ties will create new opportunities for business partnerships and deepen economic cooperation between our countries", said Kuantyrov.
In his meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, the discussions focused on exploration, extraction, transportation, and refining of oil and petroleum products. Kazakhstan and Nigeria expressed interest in exploring potential deliveries of Kazakh oil for processing at Nigerian refineries. Minister Lokpobiri reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong interest in the partnership, highlighting that, despite being one of the world’s largest oil producers, Nigeria requires additional crude supplies to meet domestic demand and expand petroleum product exports.
The Kazakh delegation also held talks with Nigeria’s Minister of Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo, discussing potential collaboration in the natural gas sector, including supply agreements, gas processing technologies, and the involvement of Kazakh companies in developing Nigeria’s gas infrastructure. Minister Ekpo emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to transitioning to cleaner energy solutions, reducing carbon emissions, and building a sustainable economy.
During a meeting with Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Nura Abba Rimi, investment opportunities in the mining sector were reviewed, particularly in exploration and processing of mineral resources. The Kazakh delegation expressed interest in leveraging innovative processing technologies and establishing joint production facilities.
Additionally, Kazakhstan presented a list of over 300 product categories for export to Nigeria, while also expressing interest in direct imports of cocoa beans from Nigeria. Potential trade corridors for transporting goods between the two countries were discussed, with three possible routes currently under evaluation in cooperation with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport.
The visit also included a meeting with the Managing Director of NEXIM Nigeria, the country’s leading export-import financing institution. The discussions concluded with an agreement to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between NEXIM Nigeria and Kazakhstan’s Export Credit Agency, paving the way for future financial cooperation.
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Data Center Valley: Kazakhstan Government, Firebird, and NVIDIA Sign $10 Billion Package of Agreements in Artificial Intelligence
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Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting with NVIDIA Vice President Rev Lebaredian and Firebird co-founders Razmig Hovaghimian, Chief Executive Officer, and Alexander Yesayan. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev, Chairman of the Management Board of JSC Kazakhtelecom Bagdat Mussin, and U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Julie Stufft, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
U.S.-based Firebird specializes in AI infrastructure, data center development, and high-performance computing systems. The company delivers projects across multiple regions worldwide and collaborates with leading technology partners, including NVIDIA, the global leader in artificial intelligence, accelerated computing, and digital infrastructure. NVIDIA technologies power many of the world's leading supercomputers and data centers and serve as the foundation for a significant share of today's generative AI models.
The meeting focused on the development of Kazakhstan’s national AI infrastructure, including the deployment of high-performance computing capacity, construction of advanced data centers, and attraction of international technology partners.
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov emphasized that artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure development are among Kazakhstan’s highest national priorities.
By the decision of the Head of State, 2026 has been declared the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. This week, Kazakhstan adopted the National Strategy for Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence Development, ‘Digital Qazaqstan’. One of the flagship projects currently being implemented is the Data Center Valley in Ekibastuz. Our goal is to create a platform capable of hosting global digital infrastructure. We highly value the agreements reached with our partners at Firebird and NVIDIA," said Olzhas Bektenov.
The Prime Minister highlighted the key advantages of the Data Center Valley project, including a large land reserve, investment incentives, and competitive electricity costs. A critical factor for investors is the project’s scalability. While 300 MW of power capacity is already available, the project is designed for phased expansion to 1 GW.
Firebird Co-Founder and CEO Razmig Hovaghimian emphasized Kazakhstan’s strong potential for digital infrastructure development.
I would like to acknowledge the President’s vision in declaring 2026 the Year of AI. When we first visited Kazakhstan, it quickly became clear to us that the country’s ambition, expertise, and talent are truly world-class. Countries that invest today in advanced AI computing infrastructure, talent development, and innovation ecosystems will shape the economic opportunities of tomorrow. Firebird combines expertise in deploying cutting-edge U.S. technologies, deep partnerships across the global AI ecosystem, and the ability to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects securely and at exceptional speed. The launch planned for 2027 will place Kazakhstan among the world’s top ten countries in AI infrastructure. We have an incredible team, extraordinary opportunities ahead, and we are excited to work with the Government of Kazakhstan, NVIDIA, and our partners in the United States to help turn Kazakhstan’s vision into reality," said Razmig Hovaghimian.
NVIDIA Vice President Rev Lebaredian presented key technological approaches and solutions for the implementation of the Data Center Valley project, as well as Kazakhstan’s integration into the global AI ecosystem.
To develop artificial intelligence, we need what we call a five-layer cake. The most important layer is the application layer. This is where we take all the technologies from the lower layers and transform them into solutions for different industries and sectors, creating real value and tangible benefits. But everything begins with energy. If you do not have energy, you cannot build the rest. It is the foundation. Kazakhstan has energy. Because the country has it in abundance and can generate even more, it is an excellent place to start. In fact, Kazakhstan has the potential to participate at every level of this five-layer cake. Based on what I have seen, what I have read, and what I am witnessing during my visit here, the spirit and determination of Kazakhstan are clearly focused on moving forward and leveraging both its natural resources and its human capital to enter the new era of artificial intelligence," said Rev Lebaredian.
Participants noted that global demand for projects of this nature is growing rapidly. According to international analysts, the global AI market is expected to exceed hundreds of billions of dollars in the coming years, while demand for computing capacity required to train and operate AI models continues to grow at double-digit rates annually. As a result, countries are increasingly competing not only for technology and talent, but also for the infrastructure that forms the foundation of the next-generation digital economy.
At the instruction of the Head of State, Kazakhstan is systematically building the national infrastructure required to advance artificial intelligence. The Data Center Valley project is set to become one of the key platforms underpinning the country’s emerging AI token economy.
The planned $10 billion investment will enable Kazakhstan to establish a large-scale computing cluster powered by 100,000 state-of-the-art GPU chips, including NVIDIA GB300 and Vera Rubin. According to our estimates, the project will generate at least $3 billion in annual export revenue, create new high-skilled jobs, attract leading global technology companies, and further strengthen Kazakhstan’s position as one of Eurasia’s key digital hubs," said Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Under the directive of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, we are building a world-class data center in Ekibastuz. In essence, Kazakhstan is transforming Ekibastuz coal into digital export revenue. The energy generated from coal is being converted into a high-tech, export-oriented service that will be sold globally to some of the world’s largest companies. This is a joint venture, and our partners at Firebird already have secured service agreements with major global players, which will help generate foreign currency revenues for Kazakhstan," said Bagdat Mussin, Chairman of the Management Board of JSC Kazakhtelecom.
For Kazakhstan, the development of advanced data centers and computing platforms creates opportunities to attract investment, localize digital services, train engineering talent, and establish new export-oriented technology sectors. The availability of domestic high-performance infrastructure will also support scientific research, startup development, cloud services, and AI solutions within the country.
Following the meeting, agreements on artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure cooperation totaling $10 billion were signed, including:
A Strategic Cooperation Agreement between the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Firebird, establishing a framework for AI ecosystem development and the creation of Firebird Labs Kazakhstan at Alem.ai.
A Binding Term Sheet between JSC Kazakhtelecom and Firebird outlining the technical and organizational parameters of cooperation within the Data Center Valley project.
The agreements provide the foundation for the next phase of the Data Center Valley initiative, which aims to establish a modern technological platform for artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and next-generation digital services. The signed agreements reflect growing interest from global technology companies in Kazakhstan as a destination for AI infrastructure investment and strengthen the country’s position as one of the emerging digital hubs of Central Eurasia.
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Kazakh Delegation Participated in a Conference Marking the 25th Anniversary of the SCO
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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermukhambet Konuspayev took part an international conference entitled "Central Asia - the Core of the SCO: A Space of Peace and Shared Development" was held in Dushanbe. The event was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, and the SCO Friendship and Cooperation Centre in Tajikistan, and was dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
In his statement, Deputy Minister Konuspayev noted that, since the very beginning of the "Shanghai Process", the Central Asian countries have been among the active founding states of the Organization and continue to make a significant contribution to its development. He stressed that Kazakhstan attaches particular importance to further strengthening the SCO as a platform for equal and mutually beneficial cooperation.
In his welcoming remarks, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan, Sirojiddin Muhriddin, emphasized that, owing to the political will of the leaders of the Central Asian states, the region has in recent years become one of the most dynamically developing regions of Eurasia. He noted that Central Asia has objectively begun to play a system-forming role, constituting a stable core of the SCO and generating momentum for its further evolution.
Virtually all participants highlighted the important role of the SCO in ensuring security and stability across Eurasia, underscoring its prominent place among respected and influential international and regional organizations.
Particular attention was paid to the contribution of the Central Asian countries to the establishment and progressive development of the SCO, as well as to their role in strengthening the principles of mutual trust, good-neighbourliness and equal partnership.
The conference brought together Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Uzbekistan, the Ambassador of Iran to Tajikistan, as well as heads and representatives of international organizations, including ESCAP, CIS, CSTO, UNESCO, CICA, ECO and others.
As part of the visit, Deputy Minister Konuspayev held a meeting with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan Nigina Alizoda.
During the meeting, the parties discussed current issues of bilateral cooperation, including preparations for upcoming contacts at the highest and high levels, as well as prospects for the further development of Kazakhstan-Tajikistan cooperation in the political, trade, economic and investment spheres.
The parties also reviewed specific issues related to the implementation of joint projects of mutual interest and exchanged views on current regional and international agenda issues.
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Kazakhstan and the European Union enter a new stage of negotiations on visa facilitation and readmission
The delegations of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the European Union successfully held another round of negotiations on the draft Agreement of Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreement, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
During the negotiations, the parties continued substantive discussions aimed at further aligning their positions on the key provisions of the future agreements.
Particular attention was paid to improving visa procedures for citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan, including application processing times, the issuance of multiple-entry visas, the optimization of supporting documentation requirements, and other practical measures designed to facilitate people-to-people contacts.
At the conclusion of the negotiations, the parties noted significant progress on the majority of provisions of both agreements and confirmed their readiness to continue the work.
The results achieved reflect a high level of mutual understanding and provide a solid foundation for further enhancing the mobility of citizens, as well as expanding business, educational, scientific and humanitarian ties between Kazakhstan and the European Union.
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First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan received Ambassador of Canada
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First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Ashykbayev received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to the Republic of Kazakhstan Christopher Duggan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The parties discussed issues of bilateral cooperation between Kazakhstan and Canada in the political, trade, economic and legal areas.
Special attention was paid to high-level contacts and issues of multilateral cooperation.
Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue efforts to expand bilateral interaction.
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Efficiency and Sustainability of International Trade high on the Asia-Pacific Agenda
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A Kazakhstan delegation led by Ambassador Margulan Baimukhan, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to UN ESCAP, and comprising representatives of the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, has commenced its work at the Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum and Paperless Trade Week 2026 (APTFF x PTW 2026), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The event is taking place at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok from 8 to 12 June 2026 under the theme "Next Generation Trade Digitalization - Advancing Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation."
Throughout the week, participants from more than 50 countries across the Asia-Pacific region will engage in high-level panels, interactive sessions, and knowledge-sharing dialogues aimed at generating new perspectives and practical solutions across all dimensions of trade facilitation and digital transformation.
The Forum serves as one of the region’s key platforms for discussing trade digitalization, the modernization of logistics and customs procedures, and the strengthening of cooperation among Asia-Pacific countries with a view to enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of international trade.
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Kazakhstan Bets on a Strategic Partnership with Kuwait in the Areas of Investment and Food Security
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The Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the State of Kuwait, Yerzhan Yelekeyev, held a meeting with the State Minister for Economic Affairs and Investment of the State of Kuwait, Abdulaziz Al-Marzouq, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
Particular attention was paid to strengthening cooperation in the agro-industrial sector and ensuring food security. The Kazakh side presented the country’s potential as one of the leading producers of agricultural products in Central Asia, as well as opportunities for expanding exports of value-added agricultural products.
The Kuwaiti side emphasized that ensuring food security is one of its key national priorities and that cooperation with Kazakhstan in this area is important not only for the State of Kuwait, but for the region as a whole.
Special attention was given to the development of Alatau City, one of the largest investment projects in Kazakhstan. The parties noted its strong investment potential and expressed confidence that the project could attract the interest of Kuwaiti businesses and investors, opening up new opportunities for bilateral investment cooperation.
During the meeting, Ambassador conveyed an invitation from the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Serik Zhumangarin, inviting the State Minister to pay a visit to Kazakhstan.
The parties reaffirmed their mutual interest in further expanding trade, economic and investment cooperation, as well as in implementing joint projects of mutual interest.
State Minister for Economic Affairs and Investment of the State of Kuwait, also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Kuwait and one of the world’s largest sovereign investment funds, with assets under management estimated at approximately USD 1 trillion. In addition, minister chairs the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) - the government authority responsible for attracting foreign direct investment, facilitating strategic investment projects, and enhancing the investment attractiveness of the State of Kuwait.
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Improving Consular Cooperation across the CIS Area Discussed in Minsk
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The XXXIII Meeting of the Consultative Council of Heads of Consular Services of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Member States was held, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The meeting was attended by representatives of Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, and the CIS Executive Committee and also by representatives of Armenia and Tajikistan via videoconference. Representatives of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan participated in the meeting as observers. The Kazakh delegation was headed by Bolat Katkenov, Deputy Director of the Department of Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
During the meeting, participants discussed issues related to the implementation of the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 24 April 1963, exchanged views on the implementation of the Convention on Legal Assistance and Legal Relations in Civil, Family and Criminal Matters of 7 October 2002, as well as other international agreements, including bilateral consular agreements concluded between CIS member states.
The parties emphasized the importance of exchanging relevant information between competent authorities on matters related to the mutual recognition of documents issued within the framework of the conventions. The heads of consular services recommended intensifying direct cooperation and interagency interaction through the use of modern communication channels, including between the Ministries of internal affairs of CIS member states.
Special attention was paid to the protection of the rights and interests of citizens, including support and assistance to persons temporarily residing, studying, and carrying out labor activities in the territories of CIS member states.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the heads of the delegations signed the Protocol and noted that the negotiations had been held in a constructive and substantive atmosphere. They also agreed to continue the regular exchange of information on all areas of consular relations.
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Central Asia and Scandinavia on the Path to Sustainable Cooperation
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Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Finland Azamat Abdraimov met with Secretary General of the Scandinavian and Central Asian Sustainable Business Association (SCABA) Ilkka Räisänen, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the prospects for developing trade, economic and investment cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Nordic countries, as well as a number of current areas on the bilateral agenda.
The Kazakh diplomat informed his interlocutor about the ongoing economic reforms in the country, measures to improve the investment climate and priorities of state policy in the field of sustainable development. Particular attention was paid to the potential of Kazakhstan as a regional hub for the implementation of joint projects in Central Asia.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties confirmed their readiness to continue dialogue and promote the development of mutually beneficial cooperation.
SCABA" is a business-oriented organization aimed at building strong business ties between the countries of Central Asia and Northern Europe.
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