Kazakhstan grants developers power to appoint Alatau mayor
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Kazakhstan has granted developers, including businessman Tskhay and Kaspi.kz CEO, the authority to appoint and dismiss the mayor of Alatau. The decision was announced on July 14, 2026, as part of a pilot project for the new city's governance.
The Governance Model
Under the new pilot project, the mayor of Alatau will be appointed by a council of key investors, including developer Tskhay and Kaspi.kz CEO Mikhail Lomtadze. The council will also have the power to dismiss the mayor, effectively placing the city's executive authority under private control. Alatau, a new city being built near Almaty, is intended to become a major economic hub.
Investor Roles
Tskhay, a prominent real estate developer, and Lomtadze, head of Kazakhstan's largest fintech company, are the two named investors in the project. The government stated that the model aims to attract private investment and ensure efficient management. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the lack of democratic oversight.
What's Next
The pilot project is set to begin operations in the coming months. It remains unclear whether the model will be expanded to other cities or face legal challenges.
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Kazakhstan grants developers power to appoint Alatau mayor
