The proposal emerged during the first state visit by a Kenyan president to Kazakhstan, highlighting efforts by both countries to strengthen economic ties and expand access to new markets.
At the centre of the talks was Kazakhstan’s initiative to link the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, known as the Middle Corridor, with East Africa’s maritime infrastructure.
Kazakhstan’s president said the country had become a key Eurasian transit hub, with around 85% of overland freight traffic between China and Europe passing through its territory. Astana has been actively developing the Middle Corridor, a trade route connecting China, Central Asia, the Caspian region, the South Caucasus and Europe, which is increasingly viewed as an alternative transit route between Asia and Europe.
Against that backdrop, Kazakhstan proposed connecting the corridor to the Kenyan ports of Mombasa and Lamu, describing them as strategic gateways to East Africa. Officials said the initiative could improve export routes for Kazakh metal products, construction materials, agricultural goods and food products.
For Kazakhstan, the world’s largest landlocked country, access to maritime logistics hubs is seen as an opportunity to diversify trade routes and strengthen connectivity with African markets. Kenya positions itself as a gateway to the East African Community, a regional bloc with a market of around 300 million people. Mombasa, one of East Africa’s largest ports, provides access to eight countries in the region, giving it strategic importance for regional trade.
The two sides also discussed cargo aviation routes and the long-term prospect of direct flights between Astana and Nairobi, which officials said could help facilitate business ties. Kenya additionally proposed creating a logistics hub in Astana to support exports of Kenyan products.
Trade and agriculture featured prominently in the discussions. Kazakhstan proposed increasing grain exports, while Kenya expressed interest in expanding supplies of tea, coffee and flowers, including through the idea of a dedicated trade hub.
The countries also identified mining, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and space technologies as areas for potential cooperation.
As part of the visit, Kazakhstan and Kenya signed 10 cooperation agreements and agreed to establish a Kazakhstan-Kenya Business Council to support trade missions and help advance joint commercial projects. Trade turnover between the two countries exceeded $52 million last year, according to officials.
While many of the initiatives remain at an early stage, the talks signalled growing interest on both sides in strengthening trade links between Central Asia and East Africa, with transport connectivity emerging as a key priority.
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