Executive Summary
The report examines the deepening of economic and strategic relations between Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates, highlighted by the signing of nine bilateral agreements worth $5 billion.
These include major investments in port infrastructure at Kuryk and Aktau, expansion of agri-food trade, and significant financial integration through the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC).
The agreements coincide with high-level diplomatic engagement, including the visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Astana, and signal a long-term partnership focused on connectivity, diversification, and mutual regional influence.
Key Takeaways
- Kazakhstan and the UAE have launched a $5 billion economic cooperation package with strategic investments in ports, agriculture, and logistics.
- AIFC now hosts 46 registered UAE companies, with a new direct link established between Astana International Exchange and Nasdaq Dubai.
- The state visit of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Kazakhstan underscores the political alignment underpinning this growing partnership.
Background Information
Kazakhstan continues to position itself as a pivotal transit and trade hub within Eurasia, particularly through its western-facing corridors across the Caspian Sea. The ports of Aktau and Kuryk are vital components of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), offering an alternative to traditional northern (Russian) and eastern (Chinese) supply chains. In parallel, the UAE has been pursuing a global strategy for economic diversification and connectivity, expanding its footprint through investments in maritime infrastructure, financial services, and digital trade platforms.
The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), based in Kazakhstan’s capital, has emerged as a central node for attracting global investment into Central Asia. The AIFC offers common-law frameworks, international arbitration mechanisms, and financial market infrastructure designed to appeal to foreign capital, especially from Gulf states.
Geopolitical Scenario
The agreements signed between Kazakhstan and the UAE mark a new phase in bilateral cooperation, reflecting a convergence of strategic interests. The centerpiece is the UAE’s growing role in Kazakhstan’s port infrastructure.
Abu Dhabi Sports Group committed approximately $30 millions to develop the Sarja grain terminal at Kuryk, significantly boosting Astana’s grain export capacity and strengthening the TITR corridor. This infrastructure is not only essential for the Central Asian republic’s economic aspirations but also aligns with the Abu Dhabi’s imperative to secure reliable food supply routes and maritime trade networks.
Further agreements, such as the memorandum between SEZ “Aktau Sea Port” and Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Economic Zones, suggest a broader integration of logistical and industrial operations. The inclusion of agri-food cooperation, with Lulu Group and QazaqArab Sugar, indicates a multi-sectoral approach rooted in supply chain resilience and origin-based procurement.
Financial collaboration has become another pillar of this partnership. AIFC Director Renat Bekturov announced that 46 UAE firms are now registered within the Centre, underscoring the UAE’s institutional presence in Kazakhstan’s financial landscape. On May 7, 2025, the AIFC and Nasdaq Dubai launched a direct central depository link between Astana International Exchange (AIX) and Nasdaq Dubai, facilitating cross-border investment flows. This builds upon AIX’s earlier accession in 2024 to “Tabadul,” the digital exchange platform created by the Abu Dhabi Exchange (ADX), which aims to interconnect financial markets across the Middle East and Central Asia.
These changes are happening alongside major global shifts. Astana is actively pursuing a multi-vector foreign policy aimed at maintaining sovereignty and economic flexibility amid the shifting global order. Considering the ongoing war in Ukraine, Western sanctions on Russia, and the assertive rise of China, Kazakhstan is seeking to diversify both its markets and its political alliances. The UAE, with its financial strength, diplomatic neutrality, and expanding global reach, is emerging as a preferred partner.
The official visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Astana underscored the importance of these developments; while there, he met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Their discussions ranged from economic integration to regional cooperation and scientific collaboration, signaling a shared long-term vision for bilateral and regional development.
The UAE’s engagement in Kazakhstan fits into a broader strategic pattern of investment across underdeveloped but strategically located regions. Similar moves in East Africa, the Balkans, and now Central Asia reflect Abu Dhabi’s intent to shape alternative trade corridors, secure critical supply chains, and extend its geopolitical presence without overt military projection.
Conclusion
Abu Dhabi–Astana’s partnership is developing into a strategic axis built on complementary interests in logistics, finance, and trade security. The $5 billion agreement package, coupled with Emirati investment in port infrastructure and a strengthened financial link between AIFC and Gulf exchanges, reflects a shift toward long-term economic integration.
Kazakhstan benefits from new infrastructure, market access, and diversified capital sources, while the UAE secures a pivotal foothold in Central Asia’s transit and trade networks.
As global power structures continue to fragment, the deepening Astana–Abu Dhabi relationship offers a model of pragmatic and multidimensional cooperation suited to the emerging multipolar order.
