Kazakhstan's Digital Transformation: Transitioning from Electronic Government to Artificial Intelligence Powerhouse
In a significant stride towards digital transformation, Kazakhstan is making waves as a regional leader in digital services and AI development. The country's ambitious initiatives are propelling it forward, positioning it as a beacon of innovation in Eurasia.
One of the key drivers of this digital revolution is the National AI Development Concept, a strategic framework running through 2029. Approved in 2024, this legal and ethical framework sets the foundation for Kazakhstan’s AI ecosystem. It promotes ethical AI use, establishes national standards, and defines regulatory mechanisms. The initiative aims to integrate AI across critical sectors such as healthcare, education, energy, governance, and science [1][3].
A cornerstone of this strategy is the launch of a National Supercomputer in 2025. Developed in partnership with the UAE-based company Presight, this supercomputer is Central Asia’s most powerful and provides high-performance computing resources crucial for AI research and development, large-scale AI model training, and secure data infrastructure [1][2].
The digital transformation is also evident in Kazakhstan's e-government services. By 2025, over 92% of public services are available online, placing the country at the forefront of digital government leadership in Central Asia [1]. Citizens can access more than 1,200 e-government services via the national portal eGov.kz and the eGov Mobile app. The user base of the eGov Mobile app grew by 1.1 million this year, reaching 11 million active users [6].
Kazakhstan's startup ecosystem is flourishing, with significant venture capital inflows. In 2024, the country attracted over $250 million in venture capital for local startups, more than triple the previous year's figure [5]. Notable success stories include Codiplay, an EdTech company focused on improving digital literacy among schoolchildren, now valued at $100 million and implemented in over 450 schools worldwide [7].
The government supports startups with tax incentives, simplified visa processes, and access to international capital. Astana Hub, the country's flagship accelerator, hosts more than 1,300 startups from 28 countries, generating total revenues of 1.2 trillion tenge (US$2.3 billion) and export earnings exceeding 140 billion tenge (US$270.9 million) [2].
Regional cooperation is also a crucial aspect of Kazakhstan's digital transformation. Through platforms like the Astana Civil Service Hub, a partnership with the UNDP, Kazakhstan fosters regional cooperation to enhance public administration and AI implementation in emerging digital ecosystems. This multilateral initiative promotes knowledge exchange among 43 countries and over 90 partners about digital transformation and AI applications [4].
Kazakhstan is also launching international tech hubs in Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the U.S., creating additional bridges for IT export and cooperation [5]. The country is nearing full broadband access coverage, addressing rural connectivity gaps, which supports the scaling of AI infrastructure and digital services countrywide [1].
In the 2024 UN E-Government Development Index, Kazakhstan ranked 24th globally, outperforming countries like Germany, China, and Australia [3]. The Qazaqstan Venture Group, a $1 billion venture capital fund, was launched in 2025 to support AI-driven startups [5]. The Tech Orda program, launched by the government, aims to train 20,000 new IT specialists by 2029, focusing on grant-based education at private tech schools [4].
The eGov ecosystem in Kazakhstan is central to everyday life, covering services like registering businesses, accessing healthcare, renewing documents, and filing legal petitions. More than 23 million digital services were delivered in the first half of 2025, with nearly 45% accessed via smartphones [6]. The eGov platform is being upgraded with features like biometric verification, push-based notifications, and integration with other superapps.
As Kazakhstan continues to advance in digital transformation, it is also working on integrating AI into various sectors. The draft AI Law being developed collaboratively by the government and Parliament aims to regulate AI interactions among public authorities, individuals, and businesses [1][3]. With these initiatives in place, Kazakhstan is poised to maintain its leadership in digital transformation across Central Asia.
Sources: [1] "Kazakhstan's National AI Development Strategy (2024-2029)" - Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan [2] "Astana Hub: A Hub for Startups in Kazakhstan" - Astana Hub [3] "Kazakhstan Ranks 24th in UN E-Government Development Index" - UN E-Government Development Index [4] "Astana Civil Service Hub: Fostering Regional Cooperation" - Astana Civil Service Hub [5] "Kazakhstan Attracts Over $250 Million in Venture Capital for Startups" - Kazakh Invest [6] "eGov Mobile App: Accessing Government Services at Your Fingertips" - eGov.kz [7] "Codiplay: Improving Digital Literacy Among Schoolchildren" - Codiplay
- The National Supercomputer, launched in partnership with Presight in 2025, is a crucial component of Kazakhstan's AI strategy, providing high-performance computing resources essential for AI research, development, training, and secure data infrastructure.
- As Kazakhstan moves forward with its ambitious digital transformation initiatives, the draft AI Law being developed in collaboration with the government and Parliament aims to regulate AI interactions among public authorities, individuals, and businesses, further integrating artificial intelligence across critical sectors like healthcare, education, energy, governance, and science.
