Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Deepens Bilateral Relations with Kazakhstan

Astana, Kazakhstan April 8 2025 – His Excellency Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone, embarks on a stupendous diplomatic visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations between the two countries.

Minister Kabba met with his counterpart, His Excellency Murat Nurtleu, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. Since diplomatic ties were established between the two nations, this historic visit made Minister Kabba the first Sierra Leonean foreign minister to visit Kazakhstan.

During their high-level engagement, Minister Kabba conveyed warm greetings from His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio and the people of Sierra Leone. He expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by the government and people of Kazakhstan since his arrival in Astana.

The discussions focused on deepening cooperation in various strategic sectors, including but not limited to agriculture, energy, health, mining, trade, education, and infrastructure development. Minister Kabba emphasized that this cooperation aligns with President Bio’s “Big Five Game-Changers,” namely:

Feed Salone – Boosting agricultural productivity to ensure food security and inclusive economic growth. Human Capital Development – Nurturing 21st-century skills and industry readiness. Youth Empowerment Scheme, Revamping Public Service Architecture and Technology and Infrastructure Development.

Minister Kabba briefed Minister Nurtleu and other top officials on Sierra Leone’s reform agenda and her desire to become a middle-income country through international partnerships and sustainable investment. He reiterated Sierra Leone’s openness to business and investment, particularly highlighting the country’s vast agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, mining, and energy opportunities.

The two top diplomats signed a non binding road map agreement on accelerated cooperation.

In addition to his meeting with the Kazakh Foreign Minister, Minister Kabba held strategic engagements with other key government ministries and institutions. These included:

Minister of Agriculture, A.S. Saparov, with whom he explored cooperation in modern mechanized farming, food security, and livestock development. In Minister Kabbah’s meeting with the Minister of Industry and Construction, E.K. Nagaspayev, they discussed leveraging shared mineral and infrastructure development goals and inviting Kazakh investors to explore opportunities in Sierra Leone.

Minister of Energy, E.K. Akkenzhenov, with whom he discussed potential energy cooperation and investment partnerships.

The General Director of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), B. Aryn, pledged support for Sierra Leone’s “Feed Salone” initiative, zooming in on empowering women and youth in agriculture.

Minister Kabba also held discussions with M. Ashimbayev, Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan, further underscoring the strengthening of parliamentary and governmental ties between the two countries.

Minister Kabba also reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s intention to ratify the visa-free entry agreement for holders of diplomatic and service passports, which was signed on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in 2024.

In concluding his mission, Minister Kabba emphasized the strategic similarities between Sierra Leone and Kazakhstan, particularly their shared aspirations for economic transformation through resource-based growth and regional collaboration.