The Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan has published a notice explaining that borrowers can take microcredit disputes with microfinance institutions to the microfinance ombudsman. The agency describes the ombudsman as an independent official who helps borrowers and microfinance institutions reach a compromise, reviews applications free of charge, and issues decisions that are binding on microfinance institutions. From the start of the year to 30 April, the ombudsman’s office received 1,537 applications and provided more than 1,500 telephone consultations. The notice also outlines how complaints can be filed and what documents are required. These include an application to the ombudsman, a completed borrower questionnaire, identification, the microcredit agreement and repayment schedule, any supplementary agreements, any prior application to the microfinance institution or assignee of the claim and their responses where available, and consent to personal data processing and obtaining a credit report. The agency notes that Kazakhstan’s microfinance ombudsman institution has been in place since 21 December 2024.