AFD in Kazakhstan: Supporting transitions for more sustainable and inclusive development

This office, established following the intergovernmental agreement signed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit in November 2023, reflects a shared commitment to addressing major sustainable development challenges. The agreement, ratified by Kazakhstan in January 2024, provides the framework for AFD Group activities in the country.

Concrete projects serving local communities and territories

This cooperation is already taking shape on the ground through tangible projects. In the health sector, AFD is supporting the Ministry of Health and its partners with a €945,000 grant. This funding aims to enhance planning and investment management capacities in the hospital sector, with technical assistance provided by Expertise France, one of AFD Group's subsidiaries. Meanwhile, Proparco – AFD Group’s private sector arm – is co-financing the construction of a 630-bed hospital in Kokshetau with a €90 million investment through a public-private partnership.

Water, a critical issue in several regions of the country, is also a key area of cooperation. AFD is funding the development of a master plan for the sustainable management of water resources in the Lake Balkhash basin with a €1.35 million grant. A second project, backed by a €2 million grant, supports the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. It aims to assess water needs in pilot sub-basins located in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, to better anticipate future pressures on water resources.

In rural areas, Proparco is working with KMF, the country’s leading microfinance institution, to support women entrepreneurs and small-scale agricultural businesses. This initiative aims to promote more inclusive growth, with a strong focus on local economic empowerment.

A cooperation aligned with shared priorities

This partnership is framed by a structured cooperation roadmap, defined in a Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2024 between AFD and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of National Economy, during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s State visit to France.

The memorandum outlines key collaboration priorities, including water and sanitation, health, a just energy transition, transport, critical minerals, urban development, green economy, governance, and digital connectivity.

In line with its co-construction approach with partner countries, AFD Group designs all of its interventions in close coordination with Kazakh authorities, in support of the national “Just Kazakhstan” programme. The goal: to support balanced, inclusive, and resilient programmes that benefit everyone.

“In just a few months, the partnership between AFD and Kazakhstan has already begun to bear fruit—especially in the health sector, where AFD and Expertise France are supporting Turar Healthcare in planning and operationalising its investment strategy. Several concrete projects are currently being identified that could benefit from AFD’s technical and financial support, with the aim of strengthening both national-level facilities and the regional healthcare offer through financing for primary care centres,” says Amélie Aubert, Regional Director for Central and Eastern Asia.

“In the water sector, thanks to our financing, a French-led consortium headed by BRGM has been working since early this year with Kazakh partners, particularly the Analytical and Information Centre, on data collection. The goal is to deliver a master plan for the Lake Balkhash basin within two years. This will support better integrated water resource management across the Balkhash-Alakol basin,” she adds.

Mobilising European technical expertise

Kazakhstan also benefits from European expertise through key initiatives led by Expertise France under the “Team Europe” approach. One such initiative, part of the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy, aims to enhance satellite-based digital connectivity across Central Asia, with a regional team based in Astana.

Reporting to the Regional Directorate for Central and Eastern Asia, AFD’s new office has been fully operational since September 2024.

Media contacts

French Embassy in Kazakhstan

Press Office

presse.astana-amba@diplomatie.gouv.fr

AFD – Charlotte Le Layo, Communications Coordinator

Agence Française de Développement

lelayoc@afd.fr | +66 6 2507 5538