Kazakhstan’s Quest for Transparency: Anti-Corruption Efforts Gain Momentum Amidst Economic Ambitions
As Kazakhstan strives to become one of the world’s top thirty developed countries by 2050, its government has pledged to develop a transparent and accountable state. However, corruption remains a significant hurdle in achieving this goal.
Corruption Perception Index
According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index 2023, Kazakhstan ranks 93rd out of 180 countries with a score of 39 out of 100, still considered “highly corrupt.” While the country has shown slight improvement, it trails behind its post-Soviet neighbors. The government acknowledges that corruption is a major challenge in achieving its vision of a “Just Kazakhstan.”
Anti-Corruption Efforts
Despite these challenges, anti-corruption efforts have gained momentum under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister Olzhan Bektenov.
- A key milestone was the adoption of a law aimed at recovering illegally acquired assets worth over $100 million. The returned assets will be invested in social and infrastructure projects.
- Ethics commissioners, behavioral policy tools such as SMS-messaging and billboards discouraging bribery, and a Committee for asset recovery led by the Prime Minister have been introduced.
Civil Society Activism
Civil society activism has also played a crucial role in fighting corruption. Civic activists have used social media to investigate and “name and shame” corrupt officials. The government’s response has been mixed, with some initiatives to engage civil society in the fight against corruption, while others have taken harsh measures against critics.
Digitization of Public Services
The digitization of public services has also contributed to reducing corruption. Kazakhstan holds 28th position in the UN Global E-government Development Index for 2022 and has made significant progress in making public services more transparent and accessible through its e-gov online portal, mobile app, and Public Service Centres.
Expert Insights
Experts argue that when government and civil society collaborate in fighting corruption with the support of public service modernization and innovations, there is hope for improvement. However, concerns remain about the use of authoritarian tools to control and restrict the voice of civil society, which could risk manipulation by inter-elite conflicts over power and financial resources.
Future Prospects
As Kazakhstan continues its quest for transparency and accountability, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will lead to sustainable improvements in the quality of public services and reduce corruption.