Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan - the structure representing the country's interests on the international stage, receives significant annual funding from the state budget. How are these funds spent? Which areas of the Ministry's activities require the greatest expenditure?
The editorial team of FBRK conducted an analysis of the ministry's largest government procurements in 2024, revealing interesting patterns in the allocation of budget funds.
In a previous article, we discussed the procurement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where we found significant intra-agency redistribution of funds - most of the financing went towards the production of identity documents, with all these funds being received by a subordinate organisation. It turned out that the situation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is somewhat different, but no less telling.
The most expensive procurement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2024 was the creation of a unified information system for the diplomatic service - over 717 million tenge. Notably, payment for this project was spread over several years: approximately 256 million tenge in 2023, almost 19 million tenge in 2024, and a further 442 million tenge planned for 2025. To date, a total of 275 million tenge has been paid under the contract. Such large-scale investment in digitalisation testifies to the department's desire to modernise its information infrastructure.
In second place by funding volume is comprehensive maintenance of administrative buildings of the diplomatic service bodies - almost 438 million tenge. The total area of the building is 17.4 thousand sq m, and the surrounding territory - over 31 thousand sq m. A simple calculation shows that maintaining one square metre costs the budget approximately 9,000 tenge per year.
In third place is the procurement of modern network equipment costing around 274 million tenge. Simply put, the ministry is upgrading its computer network to ensure faster and more reliable data transmission between its departments both in Kazakhstan and diplomatic missions abroad. This is further evidence that the department is actively investing in the development of its digital infrastructure.
Significant funds - over 224 million tenge - were allocated for the modernisation of the video surveillance and security system of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building. Given the specific nature of the diplomatic department's work, the high security requirements are quite understandable.
Current repairs to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs administrative building cost the treasury 176 million tenge. In addition, in 2024, the Ministry allocated 158 million tenge for the "Dostyk" programme - a project that helps attract talented young leaders from Central Asian countries. Essentially, it is an educational platform where important regional topics are discussed and ties are developed between promising representatives from different countries. Such investment in soft power helps Kazakhstan strengthen its authority and influence in the region.
Interestingly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, like the Ministry of Internal Affairs, spends significant sums on the production of identity documents - 145 million tenge. Apparently, this refers to foreign passports and other documents issued to citizens for international travel.
The ministry allocated almost 144 million tenge for electricity supply payments. To ensure the operation of consular services, the ministry allocated around 142 million tenge. This money goes towards the purchase of document forms, seals, stamps and other materials needed for processing passports, visas and various certificates for citizens. In short, these are the costs required for consular departments to carry out their daily work serving Kazakhstani citizens abroad and foreigners applying for visas.
Support for information and communication technologies cost the department 125 million tenge, and the purchase of 200 computers cost 123 million tenge (which works out at approximately 615,000 tenge per unit). Also among the large procurements are services for extending network equipment licences (102 million tenge) and maintenance of the ministry's motor vehicles (93 million tenge).
Analysing the structure of the Ministry's expenditure, it can be noted that the largest costs are associated with digitalisation and modernisation of the department's technological infrastructure. In total, the ministry allocated over 1.3 billion tenge for the creation of a unified information system, network modernisation, computer fleet renewal and licence extensions - this amounts to about 45% of the total sum of procurements we reviewed.
The second major area of expenditure is ensuring the functioning of infrastructure: building maintenance and repairs, electricity payments, and vehicle maintenance. Approximately 850 million tenge, or 28% of the major procurement budget, was spent on these items.
This approach indicates the ministry's desire to meet the modern demands of digital diplomacy. However, a question arises about the effectiveness of these costs: how justified are the prices for the procured goods and services? For example, the average cost of a computer at 615,000 tenge or maintaining a square metre of a building for 9,000 tenge per year raises questions about the rational use of budget funds.
The analysis of Ministry of Foreign Affairs procurements shows that the country's foreign policy department is actively modernising, but at the same time requires more careful control over the efficiency of spending allocated funds. Transparency and accountability in the use of budget resources remain key factors for ensuring public trust in state institutions.