The European Investment Bank (EIB) Vice-President Marek Mora visited Astana on 7–8 October 2026 to discuss preparing investments in Kazakhstan across transport, energy, water, digital connectivity and sustainable industry, aiming to strengthen Central Asia–Europe linkages.

Digital connectivity plans include a nearly €60 million package with SES to extend satellite broadband to over 1,600 rural villages in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, targeting around three million people and improved access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities.

An already-signed €150 million EIB framework loan with QazAvtoZhol finances the rehabilitation of about 1,370 km of roads along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor to improve safety, climate resilience, travel times and cross-border movement, following a €200 million EIB Global framework loan for sustainable transport and renewable energy investments.

Mora’s closing emphasis is on preparing projects thoroughly to deliver safer transport, reliable services, and meaningful long-term employment opportunities for local communities in Kazakhstan.

The EIB is exploring financing with Kazakh mining and processing firms to support responsible critical-raw-materials value chains, aligning Europe’s need for resilient supplies with Kazakhstan’s goals for local processing, technology access and job creation, while upholding environmental, social and procurement standards.

Kazakhstan is a major EIB partner in Central Asia with nearly €3 billion in projected investments; the EIB opened a regional representation in Tashkent in June 2026 to support project development.

Energy and water discussions focused on modernising infrastructure, energy security, renewable generation, regional cooperation, and potential EIB technical support, with a meeting highlighting potential cooperation in the water sector and the Kambarata-1 hydropower project, subject to due diligence and intergovernmental agreements.

Meetings in Astana included high-level Kazakh officials and engagement with road operator QazAvtoZhol, railway Kazakh Temir Zholy, Baiterek, DAMU and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan.

The visit aligns with the EU Global Gateway and the Middle Corridor connectivity initiative, which aims to mobilise up to €12 billion to diversify transport routes, triple trade flows and reduce freight times by 2030.

Mora highlighted Kazakhstan’s potential as a central partner for the EIB in Central Asia, emphasizing transparency, sustainability and lasting local value in future investments.