When you travel Kazakhstan, the first thing that strikes you is the level of digitalization. Everything is easily accessible via smartphone—QR codes, apps, and digital platforms simplify daily life for both tourists and citizens. With just a click, you can make payments, withdraw cash, exchange currency, or book services. Whether it’s buying a coffee, reserving a flight or train ticket, or converting money, doing so in Kazakhstan is easier than almost anywhere else. In the heart of Eurasia, The Republic of Kazakhstan is quietly undergoing a digital revolution. Once known primarily for its vast steppes and rich natural resources, the country is now emerging as a regional leader in digital transformation. With bold government initiatives, a thriving tech ecosystem, and a vision for the future, The Republic of Kazakhstan is redefining its identity in the digital age.

The Republic of Kazakhstan has solidified its position as a global leader in digital transformation, ranking among the top 25 countries in e-government development and achieving significant milestones in IT innovation.

Even the UN Expert recognized and spotlighted Kazakhstan’s achievements in Digitalization according to Abuova (2025), from Astana Times.

Kazakhstan, a frontrunner in digital transformation, is no longer just adopting the world’s best practices—it is emerging as an enabler, said Vincenzo Aquaro, chief of the Digital Government Branch at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), in an interview with The Astana Times.

This idea is shared also by the United Nations:

“Today, we gather at a crucial juncture in the digital transformation of Asia and the Pacific. The Republic of Kazakhstan has emerged as a leader in pioneering digital solutions that resonate not only within the country but already recognized far beyond its borders. The Digital Family Card, developed with the support of UNDP, stands as an example of how digital tools can transform social protection payment system, ensuring that benefits are delivered with efficiency and transparency to those who need them most”, –

said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The country has knew two decades of digitalization efforts and now aiming to surpass the most advanced nations.

Indeed, In 2024, digitalization in Kazakhstan reached new heights. The government reports that 92% of public services are now provided electronically. Innovations such as biometric identification and QR signatures have simplified access, with over eight million QR code signatures registered and more than 18 million identifications conducted through the Digital ID system this year, according to Kanat Tuleushin, the First Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry (MCRIAP) according to Haidar, A. (2024, December 31 from Times.ca)

The Republic of Kazakhstan’s e-government platform is undergoing significant modernization, transitioning to its third version. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) will make the system more efficient and user-friendly. Kazakhstan shares its e-government expertise with countries such as Tajikistan, Togo, …. Consequently, Obviously, “that experience can be shared across the Central Asian region and even more widely, in Eurasia,” said United Nations Under-Secretary-General and the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology Amandeep Singh Gill for Astana Times in June 3, 2025.

Kazakhstani citizens can obtain public services both online via egov.kz portal, mgov mobile app and Telegram Bot and offline by applying to one of the 329 front offices of “Government for Citizens” Public Corporation according to the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Additionally, IT services from The Republic of Kazakhstan are now exported to 86 countries, with key markets including Russia, Ireland, Mexico, the United States, and Singapore. A central focus of the government strategy is the development of artificial intelligence (AI). In 2024, a draft law on AI was approved, and a Committee on AI was established to oversee the development of this field in the country Haidar, A. (2024, December 31 from Times.ca).

Astana Hub: The Beating Heart of Central Asia’s Tech Scene

Kazakhstan’s IT sector is experiencing rapid growth, with the number of tech companies surpassing 18,600—a 16% increase in just three years. At the forefront of this expansion is Astana Hub, the country’s flagship international technology park, which has become a catalyst for innovation across Central Asia. In Kazakhstan, there I 18 regional IT hubs and they are creating an ecosystem that nurtures startups and entrepreneurship.

At the center of this transformation is Astana Hub, The Republic of Kazakhstan’s international technopark of IT startups. Located in the capital city of Astana, the hub serves as a magnet for entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators from across the region. With tax incentives, mentorship programs, and global partnerships, Astana Hub is nurturing a new generation of tech talent.

The number of IT companies in The Republic of Kazakhstan has grown to over 18,000—a 16% increase in just three years. The country has also established 18 regional IT hubs, creating a nationwide ecosystem that supports innovation and entrepreneurship

Kazakhstan’s IT exports are growing rapidly, with volumes reaching $529 million in 2023 and surpassing $305 million in the first half of 2024. This growth aligns with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s goal of achieving $1 billion in IT exports by 2026. Acceleration programs and international partnerships are opening global markets for Kazakh products, with exports to 86 countries, including key markets such as Russia, Ireland, Mexico, the United States and Singapore according to Abuova, N. (2024, December 19) from Astana Times.

At the Astana International Forum, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry, Zhaslan Mädiyev, gave an interview to Derya Soysal, for EUREPORTER and Eurasiafocus, on the development of artificial intelligence in Kazakhstan. “Kazakhstan is quite active in terms of developing the crypto ecosystem and trying to promote a crypto-friendly environment for changing organizations and promoting innovative solutions in the whole value chain,” Mädiyev said. “We are one of the top 10 countries in terms of crypto mining. The Digital Ministry is the regulator of crypto mining, and we are also regulating mining pools.” The country’s digital infrastructure includes over 60 operating mining firms and more than 10 officially licensed exchanges, among them global giants like Binance, Bybit, Bitfinex, and Binone. Mädiyev emphasized that this ecosystem is supported by the Astana International Financial Center, which regulates crypto exchanges, and Astana Hub, a dedicated innovation zone where crypto and blockchain startups benefit from zero tax incentives.

Kazakhstan’s banking sector has also played a pivotal role in driving digital innovation. The percentage of the population using online banking has risen from a quarter of the population in 2018 to nearly 100 percent in 2024; digital transactions have increased from 7 percent of all transactions in 2014 to 89 percent in 2024; and public services and government transfers and transactions are nearly fully digitized, in part thanks to the government’s partnerships with banks. Major banks now integrate a wide range of public and business services into their apps. Indeed, the Kazakh government and the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) have worked closely with the country’s banks and private sector to make strategic investments in digital and payment infrastructures, to develop regulatory frameworks and policies conducive to open and competitive payments markets, and to promote financial innovation and fintech and e-commerce ecosystems according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

For example, Halyk Bank offers over 60 services, Kaspi.kz provides 40, Bank CenterCredit more than 30, and Freedom Bank is around 20. That’s why Kazakhstan has quickly increased the share of digital payments to 89 percent in 2024, closing the gap with Sweden and Singapore, where 98 percent and 97 percent of payments are digital, respectively according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the research of Suominen, (2024, November 27).

Over 90 percent of the economically active population uses the eGov platform. In addition, digital transactions soared from about $20 per capita in 2014 to $13,800 in 2023. As payments have digitized, the Kazakh fintech and e-commerce ecosystems have boomed and diversified rapidly noted Suominen, K. (2024, November 27) from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Not forget to mention that Kazakhstan’s Anti-Fraud Center was established in early 2024 by the National Bank of Kazakhstan to protect citizens from fraudulent activities.

Korlan Zhusupbayeva, an expert from the Eurasian Integration Institute, notes that digitalization tools not only improve sectoral policy efficiency, but also strengthen communication between the government and citizens.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for further digital transformation, emphasizing the need to modernize tax administration, create an integrated medical information system, and incorporate AI into the e-government platform. The government of The Kazakhstan has also other ambitious plans, such as the implementation of a fiber-optic communication line across the Caspian Sea and launching the National Artificial Intelligence Center in Astana. This will be developed with Azerbaijan. Indeed, in March 2025, AzerTelecom and Kazakhtelecom signed an agreement on the construction of the submarine fiber-optic communication lines along the seabed of the Caspian Sea.

Furthermore, the AI plays a great role in the wonderful Kazakh progress on the digitalization. The Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry has taken significant steps, including establishing an AI Committee, approving a 2024-2029 AI development plan, and drafting a law to regulate AI.

In conclusion, The Republic of Kazakhstan is advancing its digital transformation to improve public services, support innovation, accelerate economic growth, and rank among the global leaders in online services and IT development. In sum, The Republic of Kazakhstan while ICT exports aimed to achieve revenues of $1 billion by 2026. And not forget to mention that The Republic of Kazakhstan exports IT services to 86 countries, ranking among the world’s 30 most digitized countries and eighth in online services provision.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Abuova, N. (2024, December 19). IT sector results: How digital transformation enhances lives in The Republic of Kazakhstan. The Astana Times. https://astanatimes.com/2024/12/it-sector-results-how-digital-transformation-enhances-lives-in-kazakhstan/

Abuova, N. (2025, February 5). UN expert spotlights The Republic of Kazakhstan’s achievements in digitalization. The Astana Times. https://astanatimes.com/2025/02/un-expert-spotlights-kazakhstans-achievements-in-digitalization/

Abuova, N. (2025, June 3). Kazakhstan advances digital governance, global role, says UN tech envoy. The Astana Times. https://astanatimes.com/2025/06/kazakhstan-advances-digital-governance-global-role-says-un-tech-envoy/

Soysal, D. (2025, May 29). Kazakhstan’s digital leap: Minister Mädiyev unveils bold vision for crypto, AI, and global tech cooperation. , Eurasia Focus. https://eurasiafocus.com/kazakhstans-digital-leap-minister-madiyev-unveils-bold-vision-for-crypto-ai-and-global-tech-cooperation/

Haidar, A. (2024, December 31). Digital The Republic of Kazakhstan: Pioneering e-government and AI innovations amid new challenges. The Times of Central Asia. https://timesca.com/digital-kazakhstan-pioneering-e-government-innovation-amid-new-challenges/

Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan. (2024). Digitalisation. https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mdai/activities/7?lang=en

Sheryazdanova, G. R. (2024). Impact of digitalization and e-government on good governance: achievements and challenges in The Republic of Kazakhstan. Bulletin of the LN Gumilyov Eurasian National University. Political Science. Regional Studies. Oriental Studies. Turkology Series., 146(1), 70-81.

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Suominen, K. (2024, November 27). Building digital public infrastructure: Lessons learned from The Republic of Kazakhstan. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). https://www.csis.org/analysis/building-digital-public-infrastructure-lessons-learned-kazakhstan

United Nations Development Programme. (2024, September 3). The Republic of Kazakhstan presents innovative GovTech solutions for digital transformation in social protection. https://www.undp.org/kazakhstan/press-releases/kazakhstan-presents-innovative-govtech-solutions-digital-transformation-social-protection Web Desk. (2024, December 6). The Republic of Kazakhstan ranks 24 worldwide in digital digitalisation: Global achievements & pioneering qualitative leap. Biz Today. https://www.biztoday.news/2024/12/06/kazakhstan-ranks-24-worldwide-in-digital-digitalisation-global-achievements-pioneering-qualitative-leap/