EBRD Invests €230 Million to Upgrade Key Transport Corridor in Western Kazakhstan

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a loan of up to €230 million to support the completion of a major road modernization project in western Kazakhstan. The financing will help the state-owned road operator QazAvtoZhol upgrade a 234-kilometer section of highway between Aktobe and Ulgaisyn, strengthening regional and international transport connectivity.

The project will convert the existing single-carriageway road into a modern dual-carriageway highway, significantly improving traffic flow, safety, and transport efficiency. The upgraded route forms part of several strategic transport networks, including the Western Europe-Western China Corridor, the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Corridor 1, and the European Route E38.

By improving this key transport link, the project will facilitate smoother cargo and passenger movement along the Trans-Caspian Corridor, supporting trade between Europe and Asia. The modernization is expected to reinforce Kazakhstan’s position as a major logistics and transit hub connecting regional and global markets.

The project will also introduce digital technologies to improve road management and operational efficiency. Co-financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the initiative contributes to Kazakhstan’s broader national road development program, which is supported by multiple international financial institutions.

Overall, the investment will enhance sustainable transport infrastructure, boost regional economic integration, improve mobility, and strengthen long-term economic growth opportunities across Kazakhstan and Central Asia.