NEWS

On May 5, 2026, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree appointing Roman Sklyar as Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Prior to this appointment, Sklyar served as First Deputy Prime Minister.

He replaces Aibek Dadebay, who has been relieved of his duties and, on the president’s instructions, will continue working in the public and political sphere.

Former Kyzylorda Region governor Nurlibek Naliyev has been appointed as the new First Deputy Prime Minister.

The Role of the Presidential Administration

The Presidential Administration plays a central role in Kazakhstan’s system of public governance. Under the constitutional law “On the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan” and the regulations governing the Presidential Administration, the body:

• drafts legislative initiatives and monitors the implementation of presidential directives;
• submits proposals on economic and foreign policy cooperation;
• evaluates the performance of ministries and other state bodies accountable to the president.

In practice, most major political and economic decisions pass through the Presidential Administration, meaning the priorities and pace of policymaking often depend on its leadership.

Roman Sklyar’s Professional Profile

From January 2022 to May 2026, Roman Sklyar served as First Deputy Prime Minister, overseeing the real sector of the economy, infrastructure development, and investment attraction.

He also chaired the Investment Headquarters, a platform designed to resolve investor issues on an expedited basis. Since 2024, Sklyar has led the National Investment Activity Center, which supports investment projects and develops proposals to improve regulatory conditions and the overall investment climate.

Among the key areas he oversaw were:

• modernization of transport and logistics infrastructure and the digitalization of transport systems;
• construction of thermal power plants and development of energy infrastructure;
• expansion of the automotive industry and road construction projects;
• an agreement with Gazprom to increase Russian gas supplies to Kazakhstan in 2025–2026;
• negotiations with Svevind Group on one of the world’s largest green hydrogen projects in the Mangystau region;
• engagement with international investors and major industrial companies.

A notable focus of Sklyar’s work has also been strengthening Kazakhstan’s economic cooperation with China.

Possible Political and Economic Implications

Many observers see the appointment of an experienced executive to the Presidential Administration as a sign of a stronger executive chain of command. The move also comes ahead of important political developments: parliamentary elections to the country’s unicameral legislature are scheduled for August 2026.

In the run-up to the elections, ensuring close oversight of investment and infrastructure projects is likely to remain a priority for the authorities.

For businesses, the reshuffle could have several implications:

• faster coordination and approval of large investment projects, given Sklyar’s extensive experience working with investors;
• stronger oversight by the Presidential Administration and a greater emphasis on delivering measurable performance results.

Given Sklyar’s deep involvement in the Investment Headquarters and the National Investment Activity Center, he is likely to retain strategic influence over these mechanisms even in his new role.