Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC)

The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is a leading regional financial hub located in Astana, Kazakhstan. Established to promote investment, economic diversification, and financial development, the Centre serves as a platform connecting the economies of Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Western China, Mongolia, the Middle East, and Europe. The AIFC was established in 2015 to create a favourable environment for attracting investment and developing financial and commercial activities in accordance with international standards.

The creation of the AIFC formed part of Kazakhstan's broader strategy to diversify its economy, strengthen the country's financial sector, and integrate it more effectively into global financial markets. The Centre aims to attract foreign direct investment, develop the national securities market, support banking and insurance services, foster financial technologies and digital assets, and establish Kazakhstan as a regional centre for professional financial services based on international standards.

One of the defining characteristics of the AIFC is its unique legal and regulatory environment. The Centre operates under a legal framework based on the principles of English common law. This legal framework provides investors and companies with legal certainty, transparency, and internationally recognised standards of business conduct. In addition, the AIFC possesses an independent judicial system and dispute resolution mechanisms that are separate from Kazakhstan's national courts, thereby increasing investor confidence and strengthening the Centre's international attractiveness.

The Centre performs its functions through several specialised institutions and mechanisms. The Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) acts as the independent regulator of financial and non-financial activities within the Centre, licensing and supervising participants according to international standards. The AIFC also provides mechanisms for company registration, business relocation, and redomiciliation, enabling foreign companies to establish operations in Kazakhstan within a transparent and internationally recognised legal environment.

The services offered by the AIFC are extensive and designed to support both financial and non-financial activities. The Centre provides a platform for:

• Banking.

• Asset management.

• Insurance.

• Islamic finance.

• Financial technologies.

• Capital markets.

• Professional services such as legal, accounting, auditing, consulting, and tax advisory activities.

• Green Finance and sustainable development activities.

• Digital assets.

• Innovation and Fintech ecosystems development.

Furthermore, the AIFC offers a number of practical services to investors and businesses. These include:

• A Client Office assisting companies with registration and operational procedures.

• An Expat Centre supporting foreign specialists and their families.

• Office space solutions.

• Educational programmes through the AIFC Academy.

• Investment residency programmes.

• Favourable tax and visa regimes intended to facilitate international business activities.

An important element of the AIFC ecosystem is the International Arbitration Centre (IAC), which provides independent arbitration, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution services according to internationally recognised standards. Together with the AIFC Court, these institutions offer investors effective mechanisms for resolving commercial disputes and contribute significantly to the Centre's credibility and attractiveness.

Since commencing operations in 2018, the AIFC has demonstrated remarkable growth and has become one of the fastest-growing financial hubs in Eurasia. According to official AIFC data, the Centre has attracted approximately USD 20 billion in investments into Kazakhstan's economy. In 2025 alone, AIFC participants attracted around USD 6 billion, reflecting the increasing importance of the Centre as a gateway for international investment into Central Asia.

The number of companies registered within the AIFC has grown significantly. By the end of 2025, more than 4,900 companies from over 90 countries had been registered within its jurisdiction. These companies operate across a wide range of sectors:

• Finance.

• Insurance.

• Information technology.

• Professional services.

• Trade.

• Mining.

• Industrial activities.

The large proportion of foreign participants demonstrates the confidence of international investors in the Centre's regulatory and legal framework.

Overall, the Astana International Financial Centre represents one of Kazakhstan's most significant economic and institutional initiatives. Through its internationally recognised legal framework, independent regulatory institutions, advanced financial infrastructure, and investor-friendly environment, the AIFC has successfully positioned itself as a major regional financial and investment hub. Its continued development supports Kazakhstan's broader objectives of economic diversification, international integration, and sustainable long-term growth while strengthening the country's role as a bridge between Europe and Asia.