Unicase Welcomes Yersain Ospanov As Counsel

Unicase is excited to announce that Yersain Ospanov has joined as Counsel. His appointment strengthens our leadership team and boosts our expertise in corporate and regulatory practices. With over 20 years of experience in both legal and executive roles, Yersain brings valuable insights from both the public and private sectors. He started his career at KazMunayGas in 2005 and later was at executive positions at Kazakhstan’s national holding companies, where he gained deep experience in corporate governance and management.

He worked on introducing the concept of strategic assets into national law, co-drafted the Law on the National Welfare Fund, and took part in the “People’s IPO” program, which successfully listed shares of KazTransOil and KEGOC. Yersain has advised on renewable energy and infrastructure projects. He also helped set up the first film-production investment fund in the CIS registered at the AIFC.

Saniya Perzadayeva, Unicase founder, said:

• What attracted you to join our team, especially within the context of Kazakhstan’s evolving legal market? What attracted me to Unicase is its unique mix of global standards and local expertise. The firm is well-established in Kazakhstan’s legal scene but also has strong connections to regional and global markets. The firm has built a solid track record working on projects related to renewable energy, battery storage, water and social infrastructure. Unicase has the potential to serve clients in international arbitrations, complex finance and capital markets issues, I also like the team and the network of international consultants available at Unicase.
• How do you plan to help Unicase’s clients? My goal is clear: to use my experience to help Unicase’s clients navigate Kazakhstan’s legal and regulatory landscape. Having worked in both public and private sectors, I’ve seen the key changes in Kazakhstan’s economy - from the growth of renewable energy to the development of the AIFC and new corporate governance standards. As I’ve been directly involved in many of these changes, I can navigate the clients in this evolving legal framework. With an MBA from Warwick Business School and experience in business, I can speak not just the language of law, but also the language of business. That’s essential when advising clients who need more than just legal advice - they also need strategic insight.
• What challenges do you see in Kazakhstan’s market and regulatory environment? Kazakhstan, like many emerging markets, is going through a period of change, influenced by global instability, limited capital, and rapid technological progress. In this climate, businesses often look to cut costs, sometimes choosing the cheapest advisory services. However, as experience shows, ‘cheap’ doesn’t always mean ‘effective,’ especially when it comes to complex, high-stakes projects. What really matters today is quality, reliability, and strategic depth. This is where Unicase excels. We provide clients with complete solutions that combine local knowledge, international standards, and a trusted professional network built over years of experience.
• Which sectors in Kazakhstan and Central Asia do you think will be most important in the coming years? Looking ahead, three main themes will drive the economy: the energy transition, infrastructure growth, and industrial diversification. These areas are already transforming the region and will continue to do so.
  
  For example, Kazakhstan currently has 148 renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of 2.9 GW. The country plans to add another 6.7 GW by 2027 and aims to reach 3 GW of energy storage capacity by 2030. This makes battery systems and hybrid projects an important area for investment. Infrastructure is another key area.
  
  Central Asia will need around €18.5 billion for infrastructure development over the next few years, with nearly €5.5 billion of that in Kazakhstan alone. The expansion of the Middle Corridor and related logistics projects offers huge potential for investors in rail, road, and port development. On top of that, Kazakhstan’s industrial and mining sectors are critical. The country produces almost 40% of the world’s uranium and has large reserves of rare earth minerals. We witness how Chinese, American and European investors knocking the door and eager to develop the mining projects.

We’re excited to have Yersain Ospanov join our team and look forward to his contributions as we continue to grow Unicase’s presence across Central Asia.