Uzbekistan’s Akfa Group has begun construction of a major manufacturing facility in Kentucky, marking one of the largest US industrial investments by a Central Asian company to date. Founder and former Tashkent mayor Jakhongir Artikkhodjayev said the project, developed jointly with a Turkish partner, will produce aluminum goods, automotive components, and parts for solar panels and window systems.
Artikkhodjayev confirmed that $105 million will be invested during the first year of construction, with total project funding expected to reach $600 million. The Kentucky complex is intended to strengthen Akfa’s industrial footprint abroad while supporting US demand for specialized aluminum and renewable energy components.
The businessman, who leads a diversified portfolio including Artel Electronics, Akfa Aluminium, Akfa Logistics and other companies, has been expanding domestic and international projects since leaving his post as Tashkent mayor in 2023. In Uzbekistan, he recently announced plans to launch six new hotels and develop a large medical clinic in partnership with a US healthcare provider.