Kazakhstan will allocate more than $23 billion to develop transport corridors by 2035.
According to the report by the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) ‘Eurasian Transport Framework: Projects Observatory and Interactive Map’, the republic ranks second among the 13 countries in the region (10% of the total volume) and first in Central Asia (44%).
There are 42 projects underway or planned in the country, four of which are cross-border in nature, reports the business information centre Kapital.kz.
These include the construction of the Ayagoz – Bakhty railway and a third border crossing with China. Also planned are the Almaty – Issyk-Kul toll motorway, leading to Kyrgyzstan, and the Zhanaozen – Kendirli – Turkmenistan border motorway as part of the eastern route of the international ‘North – South’ transport corridor. In addition, the Darbaza – Maktaaral railway will be built, featuring a new border crossing into Uzbekistan.
The allocation of funding reflects the country’s priorities in developing various modes of transport. The road sector will receive the largest share of funding — $16.7 billion, or 71.7% of the total. Railway development is set to receive $4.2 billion (18%). The development of sea ports and the fleet in the Caspian Sea, including the Kuryk International Commercial Sea Port — a key multimodal hub on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route — involves investments totalling $1.5 billion (6.4%). A further $0.9 billion (3.9%) will be directed towards logistics centres, border crossing points, and airport cargo terminals.
This large-scale funding of transport infrastructure is not a one-off measure for Kazakhstan, but part of a consistent strategy. The EDB’s chief economist, Yevgeny Vinokurov, highlighted the republic’s unique geographical position — it is one of the most landlocked countries in the world, far from ocean ports. At the same time, Kazakhstan’s foreign trade and its role in servicing transit flows are growing dynamically thanks to a successful strategy for developing the transport system and substantial investments.
‘In just five years of implementing the state programme ‘Nurly Zhol’ (2015–2019), $17.9 billion was invested in transport. We are witnessing large-scale infrastructure projects that have been completed — from the Europe – Western China international road route to the modernised Dostyk – Moyynty railway line, which was commissioned in September 2025 and handles the main flow of Chinese transit containers,’ commented Yevgeny Vinokurov.
According to him, Kazakhstan is not resting on its laurels. Data from the Eurasian Transport Framework Projects Observatory, maintained by the EDB, shows the country is moving towards becoming Eurasia’s transport crossroads.
The development of transport infrastructure aligns with the state’s strategic objectives. During a speech at a gala event marking Republic Day, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that Kazakhstan should become Eurasia’s main logistics hub, and that the necessary potential and significant opportunities exist for this. Previously, the Head of State reported that the country’s economy had grown by 16% since 2019.
These substantial investments in transport infrastructure are designed to transform Kazakhstan’s geographical position from a challenge into a competitive advantage, ensuring connectivity between Europe and Asia along the East – West and North – South routes.