Astana — Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to large-scale infrastructure and industrial development during a meeting with Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) Chairman Nikolai Podguzov, DKNews.kz reports.
The talks focused on expanding joint investment projects across key sectors of the economy — from energy and transport to digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
The meeting comes at a pivotal moment: the EDB is completing its current strategic cycle, and Kazakhstan has emerged as the Bank’s largest and most active investment destination.
Kazakhstan Takes the Lead in EDB Portfolio
The numbers speak for themselves. Today, Kazakhstan accounts for 64.9% of the EDB’s total investment portfolio. Between 2022 and 2026, the Bank invested nearly $9 billion across its member states — and $5.2 billion of that went to Kazakhstan alone.
To put that into perspective: in just four years, Kazakhstan received almost as much funding as it had over the previous 15 years combined.
Annual investments in the country have consistently exceeded $1 billion, reaching $1.5 billion in 2025 — a record level that reflects both confidence in the Kazakh economy and alignment with national development priorities.
The Bank’s cumulative portfolio now includes 326 projects worth $19.6 billion.
Where the Money Goes: Industry, Energy, Transport
Investment is not abstract — it is flowing into very concrete sectors that shape everyday life.
- $2.1 billion in industry
- $1 billion in energy
- $1 billion in transport infrastructure
- $1 billion in the financial sector
Among the flagship projects are financing for the Silleno gas processing plant, the KPI gas chemical complex in Atyrau Region, modernization of mining and metallurgical enterprises, and reconstruction of combined heat and power plants in Karaganda, Almaty, Aktobe, and other cities.
These projects are more than industrial upgrades. They mean new jobs, improved heating reliability during harsh winters, stronger export capacity, and greater technological modernization.
Every Eighth Kilowatt: Energy Transition in Action
Energy remains one of the most strategic areas of cooperation.
According to the EDB, approximately every eighth kilowatt generated in Kazakhstan has been produced with the Bank’s participation. That includes both traditional power plants and renewable energy projects across Karaganda, Turkistan, Akmola, and other regions.
This year, the partnership will expand further:
- Continued modernization of the Ust-Kamenogorsk combined heat and power plant, aimed at improving reliability and reducing equipment wear.
- Construction of two new solar power plants in Turkistan and Kyzylorda regions.
These steps reflect a broader strategy: ensuring energy security while gradually increasing the share of renewables.
Trains, Roads, and Digital Platforms
Infrastructure development is also moving forward.
EDB-financed transport projects include the supply of locomotives and freight cars for Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, as well as highway reconstruction initiatives. These upgrades are critical for a country that serves as a major transit hub between Europe and Asia.
But the partnership is no longer limited to “hard” infrastructure.
Through its Digital Initiatives Fund, the Bank supports projects in artificial intelligence, telecommunications expansion, and digital platform development. Planned investments in telecommunications this year aim to broaden communications infrastructure and strengthen digital coverage nationwide.
Prime Minister Bektenov emphasized that the digital agenda is now one of Kazakhstan’s key state priorities — and an area with significant potential for joint regional initiatives.
Reform and Investment Climate
During the meeting, Nikolai Podguzov noted that Kazakhstan’s ongoing constitutional reforms are expected to further improve the investment climate. Stability, transparency, and institutional modernization remain essential factors for attracting long-term capital.
For the government, infrastructure and industrial investments are not just economic indicators — they are tools for raising citizens’ quality of life. Reliable heat supply, modernized plants, renewable energy capacity, efficient railways, and digital access directly affect everyday comfort and business competitiveness.
Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Growth
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepening cooperation.
Kazakhstan’s economic strategy increasingly relies on strong partnerships that bring not only capital, but also expertise and long-term development vision. The scale of EDB involvement suggests that this cooperation is no longer episodic — it is structural.
With billions already invested and new projects underway, the Kazakhstan–EDB partnership is shaping not only today’s infrastructure landscape, but the country’s economic trajectory for years to come.
And if current trends continue, the next strategic cycle may prove even more ambitious.
