Kazakhstan is entering a new phase of large-scale infrastructure development, backed by one of Asia’s key multilateral lenders. On February 9, 2026, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Zou Jiayi, signaling a deepening partnership focused on long-term economic growth and modernization, DKNews.kz reports.
The meeting went beyond protocol. It underscored how international financing, strategic planning, and national priorities are increasingly converging in Kazakhstan’s infrastructure agenda.
A strategic partner for major projects
During the talks, President Tokayev emphasized that the AIIB remains a strategically important partner for Kazakhstan, particularly in implementing priority infrastructure and investment initiatives. He welcomed the signing of the Partnership Framework Agreement earlier that day, noting its importance for sustainable economic development and regional cooperation.
The President also congratulated Zou Jiayi on her recent appointment and highlighted the symbolic significance of her first official visit.
“We highly value the fact that Kazakhstan has become the first country you have visited in your new capacity. I believe this is a very positive sign that will give a strong impetus to our bilateral cooperation. Together with the Bank, we are implementing nine projects with a total value exceeding USD 2.6 billion. I am confident that all of them will become important elements of our further contacts and cooperation,” President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted.
The numbers point to a partnership that is already delivering concrete results, not just future promises.
What is already being financed
AIIB funding is currently supporting several flagship projects across Kazakhstan, directly affecting healthcare, energy security, and transport connectivity. Among them are:
- construction of a multidisciplinary hospital in Kokshetau
- a 220 MW wind power plant
- sections of the Zhezkazgan–Karaganda and Aktobe–Karabutak–Ulgaysyn highways
- the railway bypass around Almaty
These projects form the backbone of regional development, improving access, reducing logistical bottlenecks, and supporting the transition to cleaner energy.
AIIB’s view: continuity and faster response
For her part, Zou Jiayi stressed that the Bank has already played a significant role in Kazakhstan’s energy, transport, and social infrastructure sectors. She also outlined her vision for the institution’s next phase.
“First of all, I would like to thank you for your warm words and for Kazakhstan’s long-standing support for the AIIB. I am honored by the trust placed in me by Kazakhstan and other shareholders. I will ensure continuity in the Bank’s activities, building on the achievements of its first decade, while also striving for progress to respond more promptly to the evolving needs of our clients,” said the AIIB President.
This focus on continuity combined with adaptability reflects the growing demand for flexible financing amid changing global economic conditions.
What comes next
Both sides noted the significant potential for expanding cooperation. In the coming years, Kazakhstan plans to roll out ambitious infrastructure modernization programs, and the AIIB expressed readiness to consider active participation in these strategic initiatives.
For Kazakhstan, this means more than funding. It means access to international expertise, higher project standards, and long-term confidence from global partners.
The meeting made one thing clear: infrastructure development in Kazakhstan is no longer just about building roads or power plants. It is about shaping a resilient economic foundation for decades ahead — and AIIB is set to remain a key player in that process.
