Articles · State programs
The Damu Fund guarantee: how to get a loan when collateral falls short
How the Damu Fund guarantee works in 2026: up to 85% of the loan, a ₸3.5 billion limit, a 1.5% fee, eligible purposes, who qualifies and how to apply through a bank. With a worked example.
Dala Capital · updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
At a glance
- A guarantee is the Damu Fund standing surety to the bank for part of the loan. It covers a shortfall in collateral.
- Up to 85% of the loan amount, capped at ₸3.5 billion. The loan itself can be up to ₸7 billion.
- The fee is 1.5% of the guaranteed amount on signing, then annually on the outstanding balance.
- You apply to the bank. After the bank’s decision, the fund issues the guarantee within 2 business days.
How the guarantee works
A bank lends when it is confident of getting its money back. That confidence usually comes from collateral: property, equipment, vehicles. Collateral is valued at a discount, so banks often ask for assets worth more than the loan itself.
If collateral falls short, the Damu Fund can take on part of the risk: it undertakes to the bank to cover part of the debt if the business cannot pay. The guarantee does not reduce the debt — the loan still has to be repaid in full. It only makes it possible to borrow without full collateral.
Guarantee terms in 2026
- Who can get it
- TermPrivate businesses, as well as companies registered with the AIFC
- Guarantee size
- TermUp to 85% of the financing, but no more than ₸3.5 billion
- Loan amount
- TermUp to ₸7 billion
- Loan purposes
- TermInvestment, working capital, refinancing
- Fee
- Term1.5% of the guaranteed amount: on signing the guarantee, then annually on the outstanding balance
- Loan currency
- TermTenge or foreign currency
| Parameter | Term |
|---|---|
| Who can get it | Private businesses, as well as companies registered with the AIFC |
| Guarantee size | Up to 85% of the financing, but no more than ₸3.5 billion |
| Loan amount | Up to ₸7 billion |
| Loan purposes | Investment, working capital, refinancing |
| Fee | 1.5% of the guaranteed amount: on signing the guarantee, then annually on the outstanding balance |
| Loan currency | Tenge or foreign currency |
For projects above ₸7 billion the fund has separate terms: a guarantee of up to 30% of the loan, a term of up to 20 years and an own contribution of at least 20% of the project cost.
Example: what a guarantee costs
A business needs a ₸100 million loan for equipment. The bank accepts the equipment itself and the owner’s warehouse as collateral worth ₸50 million. The missing ₸50 million is covered by a fund guarantee — 50% of the loan.
The fee is 1.5% of ₸50 million, or ₸750,000 on signing. After that it is paid annually on the outstanding guarantee and falls as the loan is repaid.
For comparison: the difference in total interest between 24% and the concessional 12.6% on such a loan over 5 years is about ₸37 million. If the guarantee opens the door to a concessional program, its fee is a small part of the benefit. Work out your own case in the calculator.
Who cannot get a guarantee
- producers of excisable goods;
- mining companies without processing;
- state enterprises and companies in which the state owns 50% or more.
How to get a guarantee
- Apply for a loan at one of the fund’s partner banks and say up front that collateral is short and you need a Damu guarantee.
- The bank reviews the project and decides whether to lend with a guarantee.
- Sign the loan agreement.
- The fund issues the guarantee — within 2 business days, according to damu.kz.
- The bank disburses the loan.
The main decision is the bank’s: a guarantee does not replace the analysis of the project. If the business cannot show where repayments will come from, a guarantee will not save the application. That is why the cash-flow forecast matters more than finding collateral.
Combining a guarantee with a concessional program
A guarantee can be combined with concessional programs. Under Orleu, a business that has received financing may apply for a guarantee if the project meets its terms. Under Isker Aimak, a guarantee of up to 85% is available when collateral falls short. That way the business gets a low rate and solves the collateral problem.
How to buy commercial property when the property itself is the collateral is covered in How to get an unsecured business loan in Kazakhstan.
Questions about the Damu guarantee
Can I get a loan with no collateral at all using a Damu guarantee?
The guarantee covers up to 85% of the loan. The bank usually wants the rest secured — often by what is being bought with the loan.
How much does a Damu guarantee cost?
1.5% of the guaranteed amount when the guarantee is signed, then annually on the outstanding guarantee.
Do I need to go to the fund for a guarantee?
No. You apply through a partner bank, and the bank deals with the fund.
Are guarantees available to new entrepreneurs?
The guarantee program is open to private businesses, including new ones. Check the terms for them with the bank: it will still assess where repayments will come from.
Can I get a guarantee on a foreign-currency loan?
Yes, according to partner banks, guarantees are possible for loans in tenge and in foreign currency.
Program terms are based on information from damu.kz, participating banks and operators as of October 2026 and may change. The bank decides on the loan; the Damu Fund decides on subsidies and guarantees. We are a consulting company and do not issue loans.
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