Kazakhstan’s national mining company Tau-Ken Samruk, a subsidiary of the sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna, has signed an agreement to jointly develop rare and rare-earth metal deposits in Rwanda in partnership with local investment group Ngali Holdings.
The agreement was formalised during meetings in Kigali between Samruk-Kazyna chief executive Nurlan Zhakupov and representatives of Rwanda’s mining authorities and investment institutions. Participants included Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, Alice Uwase, CEO of the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board, and Joseph Butera, CEO of Ngali Holdings.
According to Samruk-Kazyna, the parties signed a Term Sheet outlining plans for joint exploration and development of rare and rare-earth metal deposits in Rwanda. The cooperation will focus on geological exploration and potential mining projects aimed at unlocking the country’s mineral resources.
Officials from both countries also discussed broader opportunities for collaboration in the mining sector, including the expansion of geological exploration activities and technology exchange.
Zhakupov noted that relations between Kazakhstan and Rwanda have strengthened following the visit of Rwandan President Paul Kagame to Kazakhstan in 2025, which helped open new avenues for economic cooperation.
The planned projects highlight growing international interest in rare-earth minerals, which are critical for modern technologies including electronics, renewable energy systems and defence applications. Through the partnership, Tau-Ken Samruk aims to expand its international mining footprint while contributing technical expertise to the development of Rwanda’s mineral sector.
