Articles · State programs
Business grants in Kazakhstan in 2026: who can get them and how much
Grants available to businesses in Kazakhstan in 2026: Bastau Business up to 400 MCI (₸1.73 million), who can apply, a step-by-step guide, grants for innovation projects and when a concessional loan makes more sense.
Dala Capital · updated 5 October 2026 · 4 min read
At a glance
- The most widely used grant is Bastau Business: up to 400 MCI. In 2026 that is up to ₸1,730,000.
- Unemployed people, new and existing entrepreneurs and other categories listed on enbek.kz can apply. First you need to complete online training and get a certificate.
- Technology and innovation grants are awarded by development institutions through competitions: larger amounts, stricter requirements.
- If a business needs tens of millions of tenge, a grant will not cover it — this is where a concessional loan comes in.
The Bastau Business grant: how much and for whom
The grant is for your own business project. It is up to 400 MCI. From 1 January 2026 the MCI is ₸4,325, so the maximum grant is ₸1,730,000.
According to business.enbek.kz, the following can apply:
- registered unemployed people;
- new and existing entrepreneurs;
- people working on their own household plot with income below the subsistence minimum;
- employees facing redundancy;
- unpaid workers in a family business;
- members of a production cooperative with income below the subsistence minimum;
- payers of the single aggregate payment.
Requirements to enrol in the training
- a digital signature (EDS);
- no valid Bastau Business certificate already;
- you are not taking part in other active employment support measures;
- you have not voluntarily dropped out of such measures in the past 12 months.
How to get the grant: step by step
- Register on business.enbek.kz with your digital signature.
- Wait for your status to be checked — up to 2 business days.
- Enrol in the course on skills.enbek.kz.
- Complete 14 modules in 14 calendar days.
- Pass the final test — you need at least 70% correct answers.
- Get the certificate. It is valid for 3 years.
- Apply for the grant through your personal account and present a business plan under the competition rules.
Application windows are announced on the portal — watch for notices in your personal account.
What the grant is spent on
The grant is earmarked: the money goes on what the business plan states. Typically that means equipment and tools, raw materials and supplies, and rent for premises at the start. The exact list of allowed expenses and the reporting rules are set by the competition rules.
Other grants and support measures
- Innovation grants. The National Agency for Technological Development (QazInnovations) runs competitions for commercialising technologies and introducing innovations. Amounts can reach tens of millions of tenge, and co-financing is required.
- IT projects. Astana Hub participants get tax benefits and access to acceleration programs; funding is through separate competitions.
- Cost reimbursement. Exporters and manufacturers can use QazTrade and QazIndustry measures that reimburse part of their costs — for example, certification or entering foreign markets.
The terms of these measures change from one competition to the next. Check the current rules on the operator’s website before applying.
Grant or concessional loan
A grant does not have to be repaid, but it is small and suited to a start-up. If a business is already operating and needs tens or hundreds of millions of tenge for equipment, a workshop, a warehouse or working capital, it needs a loan. This is where Damu Fund measures come in: the concessional rate under Orleu, the subsidy under Isker Aimak and a guarantee when collateral falls short.
- Amount
- Bastau Business grantUp to ₸1.73 million
- Concessional loanUp to ₸200 million under Isker Aimak, up to ₸7 billion under Orleu
- Repayment
- Bastau Business grantNot required
- Concessional loanRequired, at a rate of about 12.6% a year
- For whom
- Bastau Business grantNew entrepreneurs and social categories
- Concessional loanOperating businesses
- What you need
- Bastau Business grantTraining, certificate, business plan
- Concessional loanBusiness plan, financial statements, collateral or a guarantee
| Bastau Business grant | Concessional loan | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount | Up to ₸1.73 million | Up to ₸200 million under Isker Aimak, up to ₸7 billion under Orleu |
| Repayment | Not required | Required, at a rate of about 12.6% a year |
| For whom | New entrepreneurs and social categories | Operating businesses |
| What you need | Training, certificate, business plan | Business plan, financial statements, collateral or a guarantee |
We do not prepare grant applications: our work is concessional loans for operating businesses. If your project is bigger than a grant, answer a few questions below and we will tell you which program fits.
Questions about business grants
How much is the Bastau Business grant in 2026?
Up to 400 MCI. With the MCI at ₸4,325, that is up to ₸1,730,000.
Can an existing sole proprietor get the grant?
New and existing entrepreneurs are among the categories listed on business.enbek.kz. Eligibility is checked at registration — up to 2 business days.
Does the grant have to be repaid?
No. But the grant is earmarked: the money can only be spent on the business project under the competition rules.
Does the Damu Fund offer grants?
In 2026 the Damu Fund works mainly through concessional loans, rate subsidies and guarantees. The current list of its measures is on damu.kz.
Where do I apply for a grant?
On business.enbek.kz through your personal account — after training on skills.enbek.kz and getting the certificate.
Grant terms are based on business.enbek.kz and operators as of October 2026 and may change. Grant decisions are made by the competition committee.
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