UAE and Kazakhstan Sign $5B Deal to Boost Ties Across Key Sectors

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kazakhstan have signed over 20 cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) valued at more than $5 billion. The agreements span critical sectors including renewable energy, digital infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, and finance. The signing ceremony was witnessed by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the Crown Prince's official visit to Astana on May 12, 2025.

President Tokayev emphasized the UAE's role as one of Kazakhstan's principal partners, stating: “We see significant potential for expanding cooperation across various economic sectors, including energy, logistics, finance, smart technologies, agriculture, and more. The momentum of our partnership is confirmed by several major projects involving companies such as Masdar, Presight, Abu Dhabi Ports Group, Terminal Holdings, and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.”

Sheikh Khaled highlighted the UAE's commitment to deepening strategic partnerships with Kazakhstan, focusing on shared achievements and leveraging investment-friendly environments to foster impactful bilateral collaboration.

Renewable Energy and Sustainability Initiatives

A cornerstone of the agreements is the collaboration between Masdar, the UAE's renewable energy company, and Kazakhstan's Ministry of Energy to develop a 1-gigawatt wind farm in the Zhambyl region. Additionally, Masdar and Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund, Samruk-Kazyna, agreed to develop a continuous power supply project with a base load capacity of up to 500 megawatts and a battery energy storage system with a total capacity of up to 2 gigawatts.

Advancements in Digital Infrastructure and AI

In the realm of digital transformation, AIQ, an Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence firm, signed agreements with both Samruk-Kazyna and QazaqGaz, Kazakhstan's national gas company. These agreements aim to enhance the performance and efficiency of Kazakhstan’s oil and gas sector through the adoption of advanced AI technologies.

Furthermore, Presight AI, a leading big data analytics company, partnered with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry to establish a supercomputer cluster in Astana. This initiative supports Kazakhstan's smart city project and broader digital transformation efforts.

Infrastructure and Transportation Developments

The UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport exchanged an MoU to enhance cooperation in developing transportation, road, and infrastructure projects. Additionally, UAE-based Terminals Holding and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport agreed on a management contract to improve aviation infrastructure and expand air services between the two nations.

In maritime transport, AD Ports Group and Kazakhstan’s National Maritime Shipping Company, Kazmortransflot, signed an MoU to expand the fleet in the Caspian Sea by constructing and chartering four custom-built container vessels, each with a capacity of 780 twenty-foot equivalent units.

Healthcare and Legal Cooperation

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the Turkestan Region Administration agreed to finance the construction of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Maternity Hospital in the Turkestan Region, enhancing healthcare services in the area. In legal affairs, the UAE and Kazakhstan's Ministries of Justice exchanged an MoU to strengthen legal cooperation, including organizing joint events, sharing legal information, and exchanging expertise in information systems and forensic sciences.

Financial and Educational Collaborations

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) and Samruk-Kazyna signed an MoU to support strategic projects in alternative energy, infrastructure development, financial and advisory services, and the transition to a green economy. In education, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between Astana’s education department and Emirates Kazakhstan Education Investment Group to enhance educational initiatives.

These comprehensive agreements underscore the deepening strategic partnership between the UAE and Kazakhstan, aiming to foster sustainable development and mutual prosperity across various sectors.