The quiet expansion of Kusto Group: Building a regional industrial hub

The 2026 agenda for Kusto Group is defined by a push into critical infrastructure, a sector where Kazakhstan has historically leaned on foreign operators. The company recently registered Nomad Tankers Ltd for maritime cargo and JanaPort Holdings Ltd for airport management. Complementing these, managing partner Kanat Kopbayev confirmed plans for a $30 million dedicated cargo airline, a strategic move designed to insulate local supply chains from the volatility of foreign carrier dependency.

This philosophy of building durable foundations extends to the company’s agricultural arm. Following a record-breaking 2025 for grain exports, Kusto Agro is now integrating advanced data analytics for yield forecasting and irrigation management. This shift from volume-chasing to operational precision aims to solidify Kazakhstan’s role as a reliable anchor in regional food security.

Real estate and niche manufacturing round out the group's current trajectory. In Almaty, the Diamond residential project rejects the high-density trend in favor of human-centric design, while the Alatau Special Economic Zone hosts the newly launched KazPetFood factory. This facility, capable of producing 40,000 tons of pet food annually, exemplifies the Kusto playbook: identifying structural gaps in the domestic market, replacing imports with local production, and creating lasting value through industrial discipline.