Kazakhstan is steadily expanding its cooperation with Africa, and agriculture is emerging as one of the most promising areas. This was underscored during a meeting between Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Ethiopia Zhalgas Adilbayev and Vice President and General Manager of the MIDROC Agro Cluster (Horizon Plantations Plc) Netsanet Gashaye, DKNews.kz reports.
The talks focused on turning mutual interest into practical cooperation — from trade and technology exchange to long-term investment partnerships.
Agriculture at the center of dialogue
The primary goal of the meeting was to discuss prospects for bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector. Both sides see strong potential in combining Kazakhstan’s export capabilities with Ethiopia’s fast-growing agro-industrial base.
The discussion went beyond general intentions and touched on concrete areas where cooperation could be mutually beneficial, including the exchange of agro-technologies and the strengthening of direct business-to-business ties.
Reforms and investment confidence
During the conversation, Ambassador Adilbayev briefed his counterpart on the constitutional reforms initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. He emphasized that Kazakhstan’s ongoing political and economic transformations are aimed at improving the well-being of citizens and strengthening the country’s economic competitiveness globally.
These reforms, the Ambassador noted, are also designed to create a more predictable and attractive environment for international investors and partners.
Wheat, fertilizers — and Ethiopian coffee
A key part of the talks focused on trade and investment opportunities. The sides exchanged views on the potential supply of high-quality Kazakhstani wheat and fertilizers to Ethiopia, as well as the import of Ethiopian coffee, tea, and other agricultural products to the markets of Central Asia and the CIS.
Such an exchange reflects a complementary approach: Kazakhstan strengthens its agri-export footprint, while Ethiopia gains broader access to Eurasian markets for its high-demand products.
MIDROC: a major player in Ethiopia’s economy
Netsanet Gashaye introduced the Kazakh side to the activities of the MIDROC Agro Cluster, one of Ethiopia’s largest investment holdings. The company manages extensive plantations and production facilities and plays a significant role in the country’s agro-industrial sector.
The scale of MIDROC’s operations and its experience in large agricultural projects sparked particular interest from the Kazakh side.
Ethiopia as a gateway to East Africa
Ambassador Adilbayev highlighted that agriculture is a priority area in Kazakhstan–Ethiopia relations. He described Ethiopia as a strategic gateway for Kazakhstani exporters looking to enter the East African market, one of the fastest-growing regions in the world.
The Ambassador also proposed that MIDROC’s leadership consider visiting Kazakhstan as part of an Ethiopian business delegation. The visit could include exploring the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) as a platform for investment activities not only in Kazakhstan, but across Central Asia.
Interest in Kazakhstan’s agri-experience
For his part, Netsanet Gashaye expressed strong interest in studying Kazakhstan’s experience in developing its agro-industrial complex. He highlighted particular interest in large-scale grain production and the use of digital solutions in agriculture, areas where Kazakhstan has accumulated significant expertise.
From talks to real projects
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to continue working-level contacts to move from dialogue to practical implementation of the discussed initiatives.
The meeting demonstrated that Kazakhstan and Ethiopia are laying the groundwork for a long-term agricultural partnership — one that combines resources, technology, and market access, and positions both countries for stronger roles in global food supply chains.
