Foreign investors are showing growing interest in Kazakhstan’s manufacturing industry. In 2025, investment in this sector exceeded investment in the extractive industry for the first time in recent years. Meanwhile, the share of the oil and gas sector declined from 38% in 2019 to 8% in 2025. These findings are presented in the study Kazakhstan: Investment Navigator 2026, which is based on a survey of 109 major companies. Other attractive sectors include transport, energy, and digital technologies. Kazakhstan also continues to lead Central Asia in attracting foreign capital.
«Naturally, there is currently considerable interest in critical metals. Energy and IT are also becoming increasingly interconnected, I would say. This involves power generation and the construction of data centres. Energy is essentially the second oil these days, as many people say. And, of course, there is the manufacturing industry, which has considerable potential, as the Head of State has also noted. This includes agricultural machinery and mining equipment,» noted Rustam Zhursunov, Chairman of the Board, Association of Investors of Kazakhstan.
Another promising area is the deep processing of raw materials. Kazakhstan already produces amino acids and has a cotton-based textile cluster. When implementing new projects, it is important to take into account the resources and economic potential of each region. This will make it possible to develop production based on local raw materials.
«We have the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) and special economic zones. Overall, we have established a system for attracting investors and supporting them throughout the process, from strategic dialogue at the highest level to the prompt resolution of any issues that arise. Investment in fixed capital is accelerating. Last year, it reached 23.5 trillion tenge, with real year-on-year growth of nearly 17%,» said Alexandra Molchanovskaya, Director of the consulting company.
For investors, regional resources are not the only important factor. Well-developed infrastructure is equally essential, including roads, engineering networks, and a stable power supply. In this regard, the President has declared 2027 the Year of Nationwide Large-Scale Construction. The initiative aims to modernize infrastructure, create favourable conditions for new production facilities and attract investment. Particular attention will also be paid to the quality of the work. Results will be assessed not only in terms of investment volumes but also by the tangible benefits they bring to the economy and the public.
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