ASTANA — Kazakhstan is making significant strides in its digital ecosystem, firmly positioning itself as a leader in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and telecommunications within Central Asia. The country’s latest initiatives are aimed at streamlining public services, enhancing the IT sector, and fostering international partnerships, all reflecting its desire to play a pivotal role in the global digital economy.
In his 2024 state-of-the-nation address, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed the importance of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) as essential components of the nation’s economic strategy. He tasked government officials and regional leaders with reinforcing current successes and broadening the application of AI technologies, particularly in the realm of e-governance.
Kazakhstan has been implementing extensive digital reforms since 2021, aimed at improving governance and curbing corruption. These reforms have yielded tangible results, including the withdrawal of over 28 billion tenge (around US$51.9 million) from the shadow economy and the saving of more than 13 billion tenge (approximately US$24.1 million) in budgetary costs. The overall economic impact of these initiatives has reached 51.3 billion tenge (US$95.1 million). Currently, public services are delivered 20 times faster on average, with 92% of services now accessible online, placing Kazakhstan 24th globally in terms of digitalization.
A variety of new digital tools are transforming everyday life for citizens. Electronic medical certificates and sick leave provisions have eliminated the need for paper documents, thereby reducing shadow transactions by 7.5 billion tenge (US$13.9 million). Telemedicine services have accounted for 1.5 million interactions, saving the public an additional 13 billion tenge (US$24.1 million). Moreover, educational enrollment processes for kindergartens and schools have been fully digitized, leading to a 46% increase in efficiency. The time required for school transfers has dropped from five days to just one, with college and university applications also simplified. The automatic qualification upgrades for teachers have sped up processing times from months to mere weeks.
Kazakhstan’s IT industry is thriving, with over 18,000 companies currently in operation, signifying a 16% growth in just three years. The Astana Hub technology park serves as a central player in this expansion, bringing together over 1,700 participants whose combined revenues have hit 1.2 trillion tenge (US$2.2 billion), including 140 billion tenge (US$259.6 million) in exports. The international collaboration is intensifying as over 40 startups have participated in acceleration programs in Silicon Valley, supported by partnerships with organizations like AlchemistX, Draper University, and the Silkroad Innovation Hub. By 2026, Kazakhstan aims to export IT services worth $1 billion. The Tech Orda program is set to train 100,000 IT specialists this year, while the AI Qyzmet initiative aims to equip civil servants with AI-related skills.
Kazakhstan’s commitment to AI development is evident, with a strategic concept in place until 2029. The establishment of the International Center for Artificial Intelligence Alem.AI will focus on research and training, while the release of AlemLLM — the largest Kazakh-language AI model — is now available to startups and educational institutions. Additionally, the opening of alem.cloud, the first supercomputer cluster in Central Asia, will allow businesses and researchers to develop sophisticated AI solutions.
In the realm of blockchain and digital platforms, Kazakhstan is actively working on building a blockchain-based economy. Initiatives include the establishment of the Cryptocity pilot zone and cross-border digital asset settlement projects. A significant development occurred with the launch of the Solana Economic Zone Kazakhstan in May, marking the first of its kind in Central Asia and paving the way for blockchain innovation and international collaborations. Concurrently, the Aitu national messenger has been designated as a state digital platform, integrating governmental services and enhancing cybersecurity measures.
Kazakhstan’s telecommunications infrastructure has vastly improved, with 93% of the population now having internet access and 98% benefiting from mobile coverage. The country has advanced to 41st place on the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index, with fiber-optic lines expanded tenfold over the past decade to reach 71% of settlements. The Accessible Internet project aims to provide 4G coverage nationwide and extend 5G services to major urban areas. Pilot programs for satellite internet are already in operation along crucial railway routes, with plans to extend this connectivity to all Talgo trains.
New partnerships with firms such as Amazon Kuiper, Shanghai Spacecom, and Eutelsat-OneWeb are enhancing Kazakhstan’s satellite technology capabilities. The recent official launch of SpaceX Starlink aims to ensure reliable internet access, particularly in remote regions. By 2026, plans are in place to connect over 3,000 rural villages to high-speed internet, a milestone expected to be achieved a year ahead of schedule, with satellite coverage expected to be expanded by 2027.
Kazakhstan’s systematic approach to digital transformation, spanning across public services, artificial intelligence, and blockchain development, illustrates its ambition to emerge as a regional leader and a significant player in the global digital landscape.
