Kazakhstan — which has the largest economy in Central Asia — is a key strategic partner promoting democracy and advancing stability across the region. 

To deepen democratic principles and increase regional prosperity, the United States joins with Kazakhstan to strengthen its civil society, advance private sector engagement, boost trade and energy production, combat health threats, and foster long-term resilience and self-reliance. USAID began partnering with Kazakhstan shortly after the country’s independence in 1991. Since then, USAID has improved health services, increased civic engagement, promoted the rule of law, diversified the economy, modernized the energy sector, and strengthened water resource management. In addition, USAID’s programs serve as a bulwark against disinformation from influencers in the region including neighboring China and Russia.

GOAL ONE: DRIVING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, BUILDING LINKAGES & PROMOTING RENEWABLE ENERGY 

Over-reliance on fossil fuels and a non-diversified economy limit Kazakhstan’s ability to reach its economic potential. To increase regional trade and connectivity, USAID supports economic cooperation among countries in Central Asia while building linkages with the United States and the rest of the world. USAID is upgrading Kazakhstan’s customs infrastructure by providing state-of-the-art computer servers to speed customs processing and enhance data security. USAID supports afforestation efforts around the Aral Sea, including efforts to revive local flora and fauna and mitigate dust storms that affect human health and economic opportunities. USAID helps strengthen Kazakhstan’s renewable energy supply and policies and improve energy efficiency. With USAID assistance Kazakhstan has become the region’s leader in competitive renewable energy procurement through reverse energy auctions. From 2018 to 2023 Kazakhstan commissioned 143 wind, solar, small hydro, and biomass projects with a total installed capacity of 2.8 GW that generate 5.9 percent of electricity in the country. Forty-one more projects are expected by 2025. USAID also supports sustainable management of cross-border water resources.

GOAL TWO: IMPROVING DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE

USAID builds a democratic culture by increasing access to information, facilitating civic engagement, promoting an independent judiciary and media, encouraging the protection of human rights, and countering trafficking in persons. This increases transparency and government accountability. By the end of 2023, USAID supported 41 content production projects that produced 566 local-language documents and online materials on critical social issues such as migration, refugees, bullying at school, minorities, women’s empowerment, domestic violence, corruption, and rural issues. USAID successfully advocated against restrictive amendments to the 2024 Law on Mass Media.

GOAL THREE: RESPONDING TO PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS

USAID is partnering with the Government of Kazakhstan to prevent and treat infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. USAID is also strengthening health systems for pandemic preparedness and response. USAID has introduced GeneXpert rapid-testing machines, manufactured by the U.S. company Cepheid, to diagnose TB in hours instead of weeks. This saves lives and builds a healthy workforce. GeneXpert technology is now used nationwide.

KEY RESULTS

USAID is improving trade connectivity and accelerating economic growth in Kazakhstan and across the region. USAID is increasing energy interconnectivity, efficiency, and energy sector diversification. It is promoting the growth and competitiveness of digital and green economies and increasing participation of women and youth entrepreneurs. It is empowering local communities and citizen-led organizations to take the lead in addressing development changes affecting them. USAID is promoting international quality assurance standards for laboratories and has helped Kazakhstan meet WHO standards for preventing and managing infectious diseases at policymaking and service delivery levels.

Contacts

Country Coordinator 

Elizabeth Santucci
3 Rakhymzhan Koshkarvayev
Astana, Kazakhstan 010010
Phone: +7 7172 70 21 00
E-mail: esantucci@usaid.gov

Headquarters

Kyle Farrell, Office of South & Central Asian Affairs
U.S. Agency for International Development
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC USA 20523
Phone: +1 (202) 706-1475
E-mail: kfarrell@usaid.gov