Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) President Zou Jiayi visited founding AIIB members Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, conveying her intent to ensure AIIB’s future direction remains grounded in country needs and strong partnerships.
These visits, part of a “listening tour” Zou is undertaking since she took office in January, highlighted Central Asia’s position as a land bridge between Europe and East Asia and a growing hub for cross-border connectivity, trade and energy integration.
“Central Asia is a natural partner for AIIB – a region with strong ambition and clear priorities in connectivity, sustainable growth, digital infrastructure and private investment,” Zou said. “As countries accelerate renewable energy and modernize infrastructure, AIIB is committed to supporting member priorities through sustainable infrastructure financing and partnerships.”
Zou met with heads of state as well as AIIB governors and other senior officials. In Kazakhstan, she met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and AIIB Governor Serik Zhumangarin. In Uzbekistan, she met with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and AIIB Governor Laziz Kudratov. In the Kyrgyz Republic, she met with President Sadyr Japarov and AIIB Governor Almaz Baketaev. In Tajikistan, she met with President Emomali Rahmon and AIIB Governor Sulton Rahimzoda.
“I wanted to come to Central Asia early in my tenure to hear directly from our members and partners about their priorities, expectations and concerns,” Zou said. “Listening today helps us invest better tomorrow.”
Zou was joined by Bank staff including Konstantin Limitovskiy, AIIB Chief Investment Officer, Public Sector (Region 2) & Project and Corporate Finance (Global) Clients, and Xiaohong Yang, Director General, AIIB’s Public Sector Clients Department (Region 2).
Discussions focused on national and regional priorities including transport connectivity, energy transition, climate resilience, water management, digital infrastructure and private-sector development. There was also a shared interest in deepening cooperation through regional connectivity initiatives.
AIIB’s operations in Central Asia amount to USD8 billion, representing about 11% of the Bank’s portfolio. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are among AIIB members with multi-year rolling programs for sovereign lending, providing a structured basis for long-term, programmatic engagement aligned with national development strategies.
During the visit, AIIB and the Government of Kazakhstan signed a partnership framework agreement (PFA) establishing the legal and operational framework for AIIB to finance sovereign-backed projects in the country and enabling structured engagement aligned with national development priorities.
AIIB and the Government of Uzbekistan signed a USD102 million loan agreement for the Karakalpakstan and Khorezm Local Roads Network Reconstruction Project (Tranche II), supporting improved regional connectivity and local access.
AIIB and the Kyrgyz Republic signed a USD50 million loan agreement for the Developing a Sustainable Finance Market for Micro-, Small- or Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Project, aimed at strengthening access to finance and advancing private-sector development.
From transport corridors to clean-energy systems and shared natural resources, many priorities in Central Asia are inherently regional in nature. “Central Asia is where regional cooperation connects to global opportunity,” Zou said. “AIIB’s multilateral model helps turn these connections into shared growth and resilience.”
The visit also reaffirmed AIIB’s role in supporting country-led and regionally anchored solutions, including coordination with other multilateral development banks to scale up financing for sustainable infrastructure while maximizing efficiency and avoiding duplication.
In Tajikistan, Zou visited the Nurek Hydropower Plant, one of the country’s most important energy assets and a cornerstone of its electricity system. The project, approved in 2017, was among AIIB’s early engagements in Central Asia, reflecting the Bank’s commitment to the region since its establishment in 2016.
“This is my first project site visit since assuming office. I wanted to begin on the ground, listening to clients and seeing firsthand how AIIB-supported projects improve lives,” Zou said.
As AIIB enters its second decade, Zou reaffirmed the Bank’s goal of further scaling up non-sovereign financing to accelerate the delivery of climate-aligned, technology-enabled infrastructure across Central Asia.
