Kazakhstan expanding Africa ties as Burkina Faso forges new partnership in landmark visit

The foreign ministers of Kazakhstan and Burkina Faso met in Astana, marking the first such visit in history and setting the stage for deepened cooperation across various sectors, as Kazakhstan actively expands its engagement with the African continent.

In a landmark moment for bilateral relations, Murat Nurtleu, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, hosted Karamoko Traoré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Burkinabè Abroad of Burkina Faso, for a working visit in Astana on June 3, 2025. This marks the first visit of a Burkinabè foreign minister to Kazakhstan, signalling a new era of cooperation between the two nations.

The high-level meeting saw extensive discussions across political, trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres. Both ministers emphasised enhancing collaboration in key areas such as logistics, mining, digitalisation, and the defence industry, highlighting promising avenues for future growth.

Minister Nurtleu underscored the growing importance of the African continent in Kazakhstan's foreign policy, stating, "The African direction occupies an important place in Kazakhstan’s foreign policy. Astana seeks to strengthen mutually beneficial and equal cooperation with the countries of the continent."
 
The Kazakh Foreign Minister also extended gratitude to Burkina Faso for its support in establishing the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty, showcasing a shared commitment to global initiatives.
 
Both ministers reaffirmed their mutual interest in expanding the legal framework for cooperation and intensifying visits at various levels. They also exchanged perspectives on pressing international and regional issues.
 
A significant outcome of the talks was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Political and Diplomatic Consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries. This agreement is a crucial step in formalising and institutionalising the dialogue between the two ministries.

The visit by the Burkinabè foreign minister comes amidst a period of increasing engagement between Kazakhstan and African nations. In recent years, Astana has welcomed official visits from leaders of Togo, the Republic of Congo, Guinea-Bissau, and Rwanda, as well as foreign ministers from Sierra Leone, Benin, and Rwanda.
 
Kazakhstan continues to strengthen its diplomatic presence across Africa, actively promoting joint economic projects based on principles of equality and mutual respect, further solidifying its commitment to fostering strong partnerships on the continent.

Copied