AIFC Management Council Approves Development Strategy for 2026–2028

The Management Council of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC, the Centre), chaired by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has approved the Centre’s Development Strategy for 2026-2028 years.The document defines the key priorities for the AIFC’s development, aimed at increasing both foreign and domestic investment inflows, further developing the securities market, strengthening innovation in the financial sector, and supporting the development of non-resource industries. Together, these measures are expected to contribute to job creation, increased tax revenues for the national budget, and the continued diversification of Kazakhstan’s economy.

Renat Bekturov, Governor of the Astana International Financial Centre, stated: “In line with the new strategy, the Centre will focus on further enhancing the AIFC ecosystem to facilitate investment into Kazakhstan’s economy. The strategy includes closer integration with global markets and the development of alternative financial instruments, including tokenised assets, ESG products, and Islamic finance solutions. It also places strong emphasis on supporting fintech innovation and expanding capital markets. Through these efforts, the AIFC will contribute to economic diversification and strengthen Kazakhstan’s role in the region.”

The AIFC’s priorities for 2026–2028 are based on the strategic objectives set out in the Constitutional Statute on the establishment of the AIFC:

1. To create an attractive environment for investment in the sphere of financial services, in order to assist in attracting investments to the economy of Kazakhstan.
2. To develop the securities market in Kazakhstan and integrating it with international capital markets.
3. To develop the insurance markets, banking services, Islamic finance, financial technologies, electronic commerce and innovative projects in Kazakhstan.
4. To develop financial and professional services based on international best practice.
5. To achieve international recognition as a financial centre.

Under the first objective, the AIFC focuses on strengthening Kazakhstan’s investment attractiveness. By 2028, the Centre aims to attract $23 billion in structured investments, increasing this figure to $30 billion by 2030. This will ensure a balanced distribution between portfolio and direct investments. The Centre will also work closely with international development institutions and act as a platform for investment advisory services.

Within the second strategic objective, AIFC efforts focus on four key areas:

1. Development of the equity capital market and strengthening Kazakhstan’s position as a regional listing hub by encouraging domestic private companies to launch IPOs, as well as promoting regional cross-border listings.
2. Strengthening the debt capital market, including expanding the investor base by attracting institutional investors (pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds) and activating the retail segment.
3. Expanding financial market infrastructure, including the AIFC ecosystem and the Astana International Exchange (AIX), to further integrate Kazakhstan’s capital market into the global financial system. Priorities include strengthening post-trade services, enhancing cross-border connectivity, and expanding regional cooperation.
4. Diversifying financial instruments, with a focus on expanding alternative exchange-traded products such as structured instruments, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and sustainable finance solutions.

Under the third strategic objective, efforts will be directed across four areas:

1. Core product development, including asset management and sustainable finance. The AIFC plans to increase assets under management, while the AIFC Green Finance Centre will expand its product portfolio to include ESG strategy and ratings advisory, as well as ESG education programmes.
2. Growth products. The AIFC carbon platform will focus on supporting the development of carbon pricing mechanisms and attracting climate-focused investment into the Central Asian region. In Islamic finance, the strategy includes further regulatory development, expansion of financial products, and the attraction of new financial institutions. In the digital assets segment, the Centre will continue building regulatory and innovation infrastructure through the Tech Hub and FinTech Lab to strengthen Kazakhstan’s position as a regional fintech hub.
3. New product development, including the creation of an AIFC aviation finance hub by establishing the necessary conditions for a modern aviation financing and leasing ecosystem in the region, developing industry expertise, and attracting international market participants. Additional initiatives include developing creative economy instruments, insurance solutions, and supporting junior mining companies by facilitating financing for early-stage exploration projects.
4. Innovation initiatives, including the development of key projects such as asset tokenisation and the scaling of the AIFC Data Marketplace platform for data exchange and etc.

To achieve the fourth strategic objective, the AIFC has identified three priority areas:

1. Increasing assets under management by investment funds to support the development of Kazakhstan’s capital market.
2. Expanding the coverage of the regulated digital asset market and increasing investor confidence.
3. Increasing the number of licensed financial companies operating within the Centre to deepen the financial services sector.

Finally, the AIFC will focus on strengthening its international brand and expanding its global presence. Key instruments will include the Astana Finance Days forum, the AIFC Connect international events series, and engagement activities for participants within the AIFC Community. Through 2028, the Centre also plans to cooperate with research institutions and provide advisory support to emerging financial centres.

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The AIFC is the leading financial centre in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, according to the Global Financial Centres Index. The Centre has made a significant contribution to the development of Kazakhstan’s financial market by attracting both direct and portfolio investment, improving the regulatory framework, and bringing international financial institutions to the country. These achievements have laid the foundation for a more integrated and competitive global-level financial ecosystem. As of March 2026, the total volume of structured investments attracted through the AIFC since its establishment exceeded $21 billion. Over the same period, AIFC participant companies have paid 284 billion tenge in taxes to the national budget (as of 1 January 2026). The Centre has also created approximately 10,000 jobs within its ecosystem.

AIFC Press Office

Ainur Issabayeva,

Press Secretary, e-mail: [email protected]