Kazakhstan: EIB Global lends €200 million to Development Bank of Kazakhstan to support energy and transport infrastructure

• An EIB Global framework loan for investments in energy and transport infrastructure in Kazakhstan will improve the country’s connectivity and support its green transition.
• This initiative is the first step towards setting up the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, one of the priorities of the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy.
• The loan will also support investments aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions by replacing fossil fuel energy sources with renewable and more affordable alternatives.

EIB Global – the European Investment Bank’s global arm – has signed a €200 million loan agreement with the Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK). This financing will support investments made by public and private entities in sustainable transport infrastructure – including the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor – and in projects focused on diversifying renewable energy sources, as well as other climate-related initiatives.

The investment will support Kazakhstan’s national road operator KazAvtoZhol with its road rehabilitation programme, which aims to improve connectivity and the quality of infrastructure across the country. This initiative is key to making progress on the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor project, a critical component of the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy that aims to strengthen links between Europe and Central Asia. It is also the first concrete result of the four memorandums of understanding that EIB Global signed with the Development Bank of Kazakhstan and the Central Asia Republics at the EU-Central Asia Investors Forum in January 2024.

In the transport sector, the financing is expected to support the rehabilitation of 5 000 km of national and regional roads and to improve accessibility for passenger vehicles and freight transport. Modernising infrastructure will also enhance road safety and climate resilience.

In the energy sector, the loan will finance investments in renewable electricity generation, helping Kazakhstan make the transition from fossil fuel-based energy to clean and sustainable power sources. These investments are expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by replacing fossil fuels with renewable and more cost-effective energy solutions.

“Thanks to guarantees from the European Commission, as the EU bank, the EIB is supporting two key sectors for sustainable development in Kazakhstan, which will contribute to its transition to a more diversified and sustainable economy. We are pleased to finance sustainable transport investments to set up faster and more reliable links between Europe and Central Asia. As the climate bank, it is also key that our financing supports Kazakhstan’s energy diversification and climate change mitigation goals by promoting renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels,” said Director General of EIB Global Andrew McDowell.

“The European Union is committed to deepening its economic partnership with Kazakhstan through sustainable investments. This financing agreement will boost connectivity, enhance renewable energy infrastructure, and further integrate Kazakhstan into the Trans-Caspian Corridor, a key component of the Global Gateway strategy,” said European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela.

"DBK actively attracts international financing to support infrastructure projects, renewable energy and low-carbon initiatives in Kazakhstan and develops blended funding mechanisms. We will continue to path this stance. We are confident that the partnership with EIB Global will allow us to implement important projects that benefit both the economy and society," said Marat Yelibaev, Chairman of the Management Board of DBK.

Background information

About EIB Global

The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. 
EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance, and a key partner of Global Gateway. We aim to support €100 billion of investment by the end of 2027 — around one-third of the overall target of this EU initiative. Within Team Europe, EIB Global fosters strong, focused partnerships alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the EIB Group closer to people, companies and institutions through our offices across the world. High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.

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