Despite global market instability, Kazakhstan is demonstrating impressive investment growth in 2025. According to the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) report “Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Trends 2025/2026”, Kazakhstan has become the undisputed leader in attracting capital for new projects in the North and Central Asia subregion, reports Zakon.kz.
Investments in greenfield projects—establishing new enterprises from scratch—reached a record $19 billion, a 266% increase compared to 2024. Kazakhstan accounted for 89% of all intra-regional investments, making it the primary growth driver in the subregion. While the broader Asia-Pacific region experienced a decline in investment activity, North and Central Asia stood out as the only area showing positive momentum—thanks almost entirely to Kazakhstan.
The composition of investments has also undergone a qualitative shift. Whereas investors previously focused on extractive industries, in 2025 their interest pivoted toward high-tech sectors. Key growth areas now include:
- Green energy, including renewable energy and hydrogen economy projects;
- Advanced industrial processing, such as next-generation metallurgy;
- Integration into global supply chains, with an export-oriented focus.
ESCAP experts note that amid global uncertainty, investors increasingly prioritize institutional stability and long-term economic potential. Kazakhstan, they say, is solidifying its role as a key Eurasian hub, evolving from a resource base into a full-fledged industrial platform.
Under the UN’s classification, the North and Central Asia subregion includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Kazakhstan’s leadership among these nations underscores its pivotal role in shaping a new investment corridor between Europe and Asia.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
December 30, 2025