Kazakhstan funds water projects with recovered corruption money

Projects funded by seized assets as Kazakhstan expands efforts to reinvest recovered corruption proceeds into public services

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Kazakhstan is using funds seized from corrupt officials to finance new water infrastructure projects in two towns of the Akmola region, in a move authorities say aims to demonstrate more transparent use of recovered assets.

More than 1 billion Kazakhstani tenge ($2 million) from the Special State Fund has been allocated for water supply projects in Kosshy and Makinsk, according to an announcement by the government.

In Kosshy, about 476.7 million tenge ($925,000) is being used to complete a centralized water supply system. Around 50 kilometers of pipeline have already been laid, with plans to extend the network to 64.1 kilometers. The facility is expected to become operational by the end of 2025.

Kosshy’s current infrastructure was designed for a population of 30,000, but official figures show the number of residents has already exceeded 50,000. Projections suggest the population could reach 150,000 by 2038, highlighting the urgent need for expanded services.

In Makinsk, authorities are continuing work on reconstructing the town’s aging water system. Some 45 kilometers of new pipelines have been laid, and an additional 606.4 million tenge ($1.2 million) has been allocated to complete the remaining 27 kilometers. The upgrade aims to provide centralized water supply to more than 18,000 residents.

The projects are part of a broader national strategy to reinvest assets recovered through anti-corruption efforts into critical public services. According to government figures, Kazakhstan has reclaimed over 1.12 trillion tenge ($2.1 billion) since 2022 through domestic and international cooperation channels, including GlobE, CARIN, and ARIN.

The Special State Fund, established to manage the recovered proceeds, has already financed roughly 280 projects across sectors such as education, healthcare, social protection, and infrastructure modernization.

In recent months, similar initiatives have been announced: in Aktobe region, 1.4 billion tenge ($2.7 million) was allocated for water facilities in 11 villages, while in Turkestan region, 2.5 billion tenge ($4.8 million) is being used to reconstruct a major water pipeline.

The Ministry of Education has also confirmed that 28 new schools are planned using recovered assets, expected to provide education for 22,000 children.

Officials say the projects in Kosshy and Makinsk reflect a growing emphasis on ensuring that funds reclaimed from corruption directly benefit communities and improve essential public services.