ASTANA: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has said that 2026 will be a decisive year for Kazakhstan’s modernization, as the country moves into a new phase of irreversible reforms, economic resilience, and rapid digital transformation. In an interview published on Jan. 5 by the “Turkistan” newspaper, Tokayev reviewed the key outcomes of 2025 and outlined priorities for the year ahead. He noted that Kazakhstan’s economy grew by more than 6% last year, with GDP exceeding $300 billion and per capita income rising above $15,000. However, he warned against complacency.“There are grounds for satisfaction, but we must not relax.
Many unresolved issues remain, and we need to keep moving forward,” Tokayev said, pointing to inflation as a major challenge that continues to undermine household incomes.He stressed that Kazakhstan has made significant progress toward becoming a more modern and “civilized” state, with society increasingly recognizing that large-scale reforms are essential for the well-being of future generations.
Addressing public debate around the new Tax Code, Tokayev described it as a structural reform rather than a short-term budgetary measure. He said the aim is to move from excessive control to a partnership-based system between the state, businesses, and citizens.“The goal is for taxes to stop being seen as a burden and instead serve as a tool for fair redistribution,” he said, adding that tax culture, public trust, and civic responsibility are crucial for effective fiscal policy and for reducing corruption.
Tokayev framed digitalization and artificial intelligence as issues of national survival amid intensifying global competition. He highlighted the growth of Kazakhstan’s digital ecosystem, noting that Astana Hub now brings together around 2,000 companies and that IT exports reached about $1 billion in 2025.He also pointed to major initiatives such as CryptoCity, the development of Alatau City, the creation of a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, the adoption of an AI law, and the launch of two national supercomputers, Alem.Cloud and Al-Farabium.“A clear dividing line has emerged between countries that enter the future and those that remain in the past. That is why digital technologies and artificial intelligence are our top priorities,” Tokayev said, expressing confidence that 2026 will be a breakthrough year.
The president also emphasized the strategic importance of nuclear energy, calling the construction of nuclear power plants both a correction of a historical imbalance and a matter of national prestige. He said nuclear projects would help train a new generation of technical specialists and reshape state policy.Tokayev highlighted growing global demand for rare earth metals as another opportunity for Kazakhstan, citing expanding cooperation with partners including the United States, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, and the European Union.
Reflecting on the January 2022 unrest, Tokayev said investigations were conducted transparently with civil society and human rights groups, although some cases remain ongoing. He rejected claims that asset recovery efforts have slowed, noting that more than 1.3 trillion tenge (around $2.7 billion) has been recovered, with most of it redirected to social and infrastructure projects.“Restoring social justice is not a political gesture or a publicity campaign. There can be no indulgences or behind-the-scenes deals,” he said, reaffirming that the fight against corruption remains a central state priority.Founded over 30 years ago, “Turkistan” is one of Kazakhstan’s most influential newspapers, known for its coverage of national affairs and its strong focus on Turkic-related issues.
