Kazakhstan has entered an irreversible new stage of modernisation, underpinned by political reform, financial restructuring and a renewed emphasis on social justice, in accordance with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
In a wide-ranging interview marking the beginning of 2026, the Kazakh president set out an bold imaginative and prescient for the nation’s future, masking financial progress, tax reform, power safety, transport corridors, synthetic intelligence, social coverage, and Kazakhstan’s evolving position on the worldwide stage .
Irreversible reforms and financial resilience
President Tokayev described 2025 as a turning level, citing financial progress of over 6%, GDP exceeding $300 billion, and GDP per capita surpassing $15,000 — document figures not just for Kazakhstan however for the broader area.
But he warned in opposition to complacency, pointing to inflation as probably the most severe problem going through households. “Even in probably the most beneficial scenario, hazard lurks,” he famous, stressing the necessity for disciplined fiscal coverage and structural reform to make sure long-term prosperity reasonably than short-term good points.
On the coronary heart of the federal government’s agenda, he stated, is the irreversibility of reform — a dedication to modernise the state, strengthen the rule of regulation, and construct a society based mostly on equity, accountability and exhausting work.
A brand new social contract on taxation
Addressing public debate over Kazakhstan’s proposed new Tax Code, the president framed the reforms as a shift from management to partnership between the state, enterprise and residents.
The revised method goals to stability financial progress with social safety, together with a call to cut back the proposed VAT price from earlier plans. Tokayev described taxation as a contemporary type of patriotism — a clear change by which residents fund providers, infrastructure and safety, whereas corruption and abuse are firmly rejected.
Vitality reform and ending hidden subsidies
Probably the most politically delicate areas mentioned was power and utilities reform. Tokayev acknowledged the unpopularity of tariff will increase however argued they have been unavoidable after many years of underinvestment and distortion.
Low tariffs, he stated, had primarily benefited giant enterprises and intermediaries reasonably than atypical residents, whereas encouraging shadow exports of low-cost gasoline to neighbouring international locations. The brand new method introduces differentiated tariffs, social consumption norms and focused help for weak households — a transfer the president described as restoring social justice.
Transport corridors and Eurasian connectivity
Kazakhstan’s strategic location on the coronary heart of Eurasia stays central to its growth mannequin. Tokayev highlighted main rail and highway tasks designed to develop freight capability between China and Europe, together with new strains and highways that can considerably cut back transit instances.
By 2030, the nation plans to construct and modernise 5,000 kilometres of railways and improve an additional 11,000 kilometres, reinforcing Kazakhstan’s position in key corridors such because the Trans-Caspian “Center Hall” and the North–South route.
Agriculture, tourism and untapped potential
Regardless of substantial state help, Tokayev conceded that agriculture has not but reached its full potential, notably in livestock farming. Whereas grain exports have hit document ranges, future progress is dependent upon better-targeted subsidies, stronger cooperatives and improved entry to markets.
Tourism was one other sector recognized as promising however underdeveloped. Whereas Kazakhstan has gained worldwide recognition as a vacation spot, the president acknowledged shortcomings in infrastructure, abilities and governance — notably in eco-tourism and mountain resorts close to Almaty.
Digitalisation, AI and nuclear power
A significant strategic focus for 2026 might be digitalisation and synthetic intelligence, which Tokayev described as important for Kazakhstan’s survival in a quickly altering world financial system.
The nation has already launched new supercomputing amenities, created a devoted Ministry of Synthetic Intelligence and Digital Improvement, and expanded the Astana Hub innovation ecosystem. AI schooling programmes have reached lots of of 1000’s of scholars, with a specialised AI college deliberate.
Vitality safety underpins these ambitions. Tokayev confirmed plans for a number of nuclear energy crops, arguing that superior applied sciences, information centres and AI techniques demand dependable base-load era. Kazakhstan’s main position in uranium manufacturing and rising cooperation on important uncooked supplies with world companions have been additionally highlighted.
Restoring social justice and tackling oligopolies
Tokayev reaffirmed that efforts to get well illegally acquired belongings stay ongoing, with greater than 1.3 trillion tenge already returned and channelled into social infrastructure tasks throughout the nation.
He rejected claims that anti-corruption efforts had weakened, saying reforms have been designed to focus enforcement on organisers of main schemes whereas strengthening prevention and schooling.
International coverage: stability, discretion and credibility
Reflecting on a busy diplomatic yr, Tokayev positioned Kazakhstan as a balanced, dependable worldwide actor, sustaining dialogue with main powers whereas avoiding populism or public mediation roles.
Agreements value greater than $70 billion have been signed in 2025, he stated, reinforcing Kazakhstan’s financial diplomacy amid world geopolitical turbulence.
Waiting for 2026
With the thirty fifth anniversary of independence approaching, Tokayev stated 2026 could be pivotal, marked by deepening reforms, a renewed constitutional agenda, and the nationwide “Taza Qazaqstan” (Clear Kazakhstan) initiative selling civic duty, environmental stewardship and volunteerism.
“The modernisation of the nation should change into actually irreversible,” he concluded, expressing confidence that Kazakhstan’s youthful era would play a decisive position in shaping its future
Supply: Interview with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Turkistan Newspaper, 5 January 2026.
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