The President outlined a goal of positioning Kazakhstan as a world-class IT leader, with a target of increasing IT service exports to $1 billion by 2026.

“We need not just declarative, but effective measures to support private initiatives in creating innovative infrastructure—business incubators, commercialization centers, technology parks, and design bureaus. We should draw on successful foreign experiences,” the Head of State remarked in his State of the Nation Address.

The creation of innovative infrastructure and strong support for private IT companies and startups have become key priorities for the government. Kazakhstan is actively enhancing state support measures to encourage private initiatives in the IT sector, opening new prospects for technological entrepreneurship and international collaboration.

Notably, Kazakhstan has already made significant progress in developing its digital infrastructure and building an innovation ecosystem. The rollout of 5G networks, the launch of the Astana Hub initiative, and the attraction of international investments have laid a strong foundation for the rapid growth of the IT sector. Astana Hub has emerged as a central digital hub in Central Asia, with annual IT service and product exports reaching $500 million.

The Tech Orda program, designed to develop human capital in the IT sector, has been implemented through Astana Hub since 2021. To date, more than 6,000 educational grants for IT schools have been awarded under the program.

In 2024, an additional 3,000 training vouchers will be allocated to help Kazakhstanis acquire IT skills. These measures are intended to equip highly qualified specialists who are in demand across both large corporations and the small and medium-sized business sector.

To meet the President's target of boosting IT exports to $1 billion by 2026, Kazakhstan plans to actively expand its digital diplomacy and international economic cooperation. The country is already exporting GovTech solutions to Tajikistan, Togo, and Sierra Leone, reflecting its ambition to become a major player in the global IT market. Kazakhstan's IT exports nearly doubled in 2023, reaching $529.1 million.

The Ministry of Digital Development is leading efforts to open innovation hub offices both domestically and abroad, attracting international investors and partners to local companies. Fifteen IT hubs are currently operating across different regions of the country, and recent hub launches in California, Riyadh, and Singapore have further strengthened Kazakhstan’s international standing.

Looking ahead, key steps include the opening of a technology park in Tajikistan, ongoing support for startups, and the continued development of digital ecosystems.

Source: primeminister.kz