In 2025, Kazakhstan’s transport sector continued its systematic development aimed at strengthening the country’s transit and logistics potential, modernizing infrastructure, and improving transport efficiency. These areas were implemented in line with the instructions of the Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Kazakhstan serves as a key link between Europe and Asia and consistently strengthens its role as Eurasia’s land bridge by developing the international transport corridors East–West, North–South, and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. The implementation of infrastructure projects, renewal of rolling stock, introduction of digital solutions in transport control, and expansion of the international route network contributed to strengthening the country’s position as one of the region’s key transit hubs.

By the end of 2025, the volume of transit traffic amounted to 36.9 million tonnes, which is 6.6% higher than the same period in 2024 (34.6 million tonnes).

Transit growth was the result of the comprehensive development of road, rail, air, and water transport, as well as consistent efforts to expand international cooperation in the field of logistics.

Development of roads and road infrastructure

One of the key achievements of 2025 was the large-scale development of the road network. A record 13,000 km of roads were covered by construction and repair works. As a result, 94% of national roads are now in standard technical condition. Work is underway to modernize checkpoints along the internal border. By the end of 2027, 37 checkpoints are planned to be modernized.

A special emphasis was placed on the digitalization of the road sector. On the instruction of the Head of State, digital road passports are being developed under the e-Joldar framework, which will ensure centralized accounting of technical condition, traffic intensity, and road operation parameters. Road diagnostics using artificial intelligence technologies are carried out annually. To ensure road preservation, the installation of automated weighing stations is continuing, with a target of up to 220 units, of which 71 stations have already been commissioned.

Aviation: expansion of the route network and infrastructure investments

In 2025, the development of civil aviation was accompanied by fleet renewal, expansion of international routes, and attraction of investments into airport infrastructure. The aircraft fleet reached 109 units, including 8 new Airbus A320 aircraft and 4 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

According to data for December 2025, Kazakhstan resumed and opened air connections with 30 countries across 135 international routes with a total frequency of 626 flights per week. The international route network covers CIS countries, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Southeast Asia.

The sector currently provides employment for 25,000 people, ensuring stable operations and uninterrupted execution of key operational processes.

Over the past year, restoration of Arkalyk Airport was initiated, the Master Plan for the development of Almaty Airport was presented, and the TAV Airport Holding investment program amounting to 362 million US dollars was announced. An investment agreement was signed for the construction of a cargo and passenger airport within the Khorgos – Eastern Gate Special Economic Zone with investments of 250 billion tenge.

An important step was the adoption of the Concept for the Development of Civil Unmanned Aviation of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2025–2031. In addition, a number of new low-cost airlines entered the market, and more than 35 new international routes were opened, including flights to Budapest, Shanghai, Seoul, Guangzhou, and Munich.

Based on the results of the ICAO audit, the level of compliance with international aviation safety and facilitation standards reached 95.7%.

Rail and water transport: growth in traffic and infrastructure projects

By the end of 2025, the volume of freight transported by rail amounted to 320 million tonnes, which is 5.5% higher compared to the same period in 2024. In line with the instructions of the Head of State, the repair of 11,000 km of railway sections is planned by 2029. To date, works have been completed on more than 4,400 km of track, including 1,575 km in 2025.

Key events of 2025 include the launch of the second line of the Dostyk–Moiynty railway with a length of 836 km, as well as the start of construction of the new Kyzylzhar–Moiynty line with a length of 323 km. Contracts were signed for the supply of 775 locomotives and 2,700 fitting platforms. Modernization of 124 railway stations across the country has begun.

Water transport also demonstrated positive dynamics. In 2025, 8 million tonnes of cargo were transported by sea, which is 7% higher than in 2024. Container traffic through seaports increased by 29%, with 90,637 TEU handled; growth along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route amounted to 36%.

Construction of a container hub at the Port of Aktau was completed, one dry cargo vessel was put into operation on the Kuryk–Baku line, and two ferries were acquired. The volume of river transport amounted to 1.5 million tonnes. Transportation was carried out in the Irtysh, Ural-Caspian, and Ili-Balkhash basins.

Road transport and transport control: digitalization and international cooperation

In 2025, work continued to expand the geography of international road transport. Kazakhstan concluded intergovernmental agreements with 42 countries, with which annual exchanges of quotas for foreign permit forms are carried out. A permit-free transport system was introduced with Turkmenistan, as well as for bilateral and transit transport with Iran. An agreement was reached with Turkey. Kazakhstan became the first country to obtain the right to carry out transit road transport deep into the territory of China.

Together with China and Uzbekistan, a system of electronic exchange of foreign permit forms was introduced, allowing 65% of all such permits to be digitized. Digitalization efforts are continuing with Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Kyrgyzstan. To increase market transparency, new rules for the distribution of foreign permit forms were adopted, and measures are being implemented to transition to digital weighing of freight transport. The country has installed 73 automated weighing stations integrated with the system for automatic issuance of administrative fines.

In addition, a permit-based procedure for opening technical inspection operator activities was introduced, and liability for violations of established requirements was tightened.

#Infrastructural development #Investments #President's instruction #Transport

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