Kazakhstan’s Government has approved the construction of a major ammonia and urea complex in the city of Aktau, a project with an estimated value of 804.2 billion tenge (approximately US$1.6 billion).
The country's Ministry of Industry and Construction and KazAzot Prime signed an investment agreement, while Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov formalised the project through a government decree, according to Interfax citing the ministry's press service.
The facility is expected to begin operations in 2030 and will create around 1500 jobs during construction and 700 permanent positions once operational. The complex is designed to produce up to 660 000 tpy of ammonia, approximately 580 000 t of urea, and 500 000 t of ammonium nitrate, significantly expanding Kazakhstan's domestic nitrogen fertilizer production.
Kazakhstan currently does not produce urea domestically and relies on imports from neighbouring countries to meet agricultural demand. Authorities said the new plant will help supply farmers with locally produced fertilizer, reduce import dependence, and strengthen the country's export potential. KazAzot remains Kazakhstan's only nitrogen fertilizer producer as of June 2026, but additional urea projects are also being developed by KazESTA and KMG PetroChem in partnership with CNPC-Aktobemunaigas. With all planned investments completed, Kazakhstan has a projected ammonia production capacity of 2.3 million tpy by 2030.