Kazakhstan Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in kazakhstan, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Overview

Initiated in 2017, Kazakhstan continues its ambitious “Digital Kazakhstan” program to modernize its infrastructure and integrate ICT across various economic sectors. 

The digital transformation of the public and commercial sectors is focused on five key areas:
1.    Digitizing economic sectors such as energy, transportation, agriculture, e-commerce, and finance.
2.    Transitioning to a digital state through the enhancement of government services and the development of smart cities.
3.    Building high-speed, secure communication networks and IT infrastructure nationwide.
4.    Increasing digital literacy in secondary, technical, and higher vocational education.
5.    Fostering technological entrepreneurship, including the development of the startup ecosystem and financing environment.

To attract foreign investment, Kazakhstan lifted restrictions on foreign ownership of telecommunications companies in 2022, with the exception of the state-owned national communications operator, Kazakhtelecom. While this remains in place, stricter new registration procedures for foreign citizens, requiring personal presence for services like obtaining an Electronic Digital Signature (EDS), have been implemented since 2024 to strengthen control over foreign capital and migration flows. The total ICT market in Kazakhstan is estimated at approximately $1.45 billion in 2025, with a projected growth to $2.28 billion by 2030. The market’s growth is being driven by rising internet penetration and increased demand for digital services. Telecommunications services lead with 45.3 percent of the market’s revenue in 2025. According to the Bureau of National Statistics, revenue from communication services reached 969.2 billion tenge (approximately $2.1 billion) in the first eight months of 2025, an 11 percent increase from the same period in 2024.

According to the UN’s 2024 E-Government Development Index (EGDI), Kazakhstan ranked 24th out of 193 countries, an improvement from its 28th place in 2022. This ranking makes it the regional leader in e-governance. Internet penetration in Kazakhstan reached 92.9 percent by January 2025. As of early 2025, there were approximately 26.6 million mobile connections (equivalent to 128 percent of the total population), and 19.2 million unique internet users. Fixed-line telephony subscribers have continued to decline, falling to 2.3 million as of March 2025, while fixed broadband subscribers reached 3.2 million.

Leading Sub-sectors

Kazakhstan’s digital sector is expanding rapidly, with strong government backing and international investment. Key subsectors include e-government services, cloud computing, automation technologies, 5G rollout, IoT, and satellite communications, all of which are central to the country’s digital transformation strategy.

  • E-Government and Smart Services: Kazakhstan ranks among the top 25 countries globally in e-government development, with 93 percent of government services now available online. The Digital Kazakhstan program has streamlined public services through platforms like eGov.kz, while smart city initiatives are being piloted in Almaty and Astana to improve transportation, utilities, public safety, and urban management. The financial sector is also adopting digital technologies, with blockchain and AI increasingly used for secure transactions and risk management.
  • Cloud Computing and Data Centers: Cloud migration is accelerating, driven by demand for scalable IT solutions. Companies such as Yandex Cloud and Google Cloud are establishing new data processing centers in Kazakhstan by 2027. This expansion supports both government and private sector digitalization, enabling advanced analytics, AI applications, and secure data storage. The World Bank’s Resilient Digital Kazakhstan Program also emphasizes cloud adoption to crowd-in private investment and strengthen digital resilience.
    Process Automation in Industry: Automation technologies are being deployed across oil and gas, mining, and agriculture. These include AI-driven predictive maintenance, robotics for resource extraction, and smart farming systems. According to UNESCO’s ICT skills development report, Kazakhstan is prioritizing workforce training in automation and digital engineering to meet industrial demand.
  • Telecommunications and 5G Rollout: Kazakhstan is upgrading fixed and mobile networks. In parallel with public network expansion, 5G deployment is increasingly extending into industrial environments, particularly mining, where private LTE and private 5G networks enable automation, real-time data transmission, and remote operation of equipment. Demand for specialists in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud architecture is rising alongside these developments.
  • Internet of Things (IoT): IoT adoption is expanding in logistics, energy, and agriculture. Smart meters, connected transport systems, and precision farming tools are being deployed to improve efficiency. The government is encouraging IoT integration through partnerships with private firms and international investors.
  • Satellite Telecommunications: To bridge the digital divide, Kazakhstan is piloting SpaceX’s Starlink to connect rural schools, and Starlink began a commercial roll out in 2025. Satellite technologies are expected to enhance connectivity in remote regions, supporting education, healthcare, and e-commerce.

Resources


For more information on the ICT sector, contact Commercial Specialist Aliya.Shaikhina@trade.gov 

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