Kazakhstan is no longer just a resource-based economy

Just 10 years ago, IT in Kazakhstan was associated with a few outsourcing firms and dysfunctional public services. Today, the country is betting on digital transformation — and it's not just talk, but a strategy with measurable results.

According to the Ministry of Digital Development, IT service exports are expected to exceed $1 billion by 2025. In 2024 alone, the figure already reached $550 million, and it keeps growing.

Startups like Clockster (an HR platform used in 20+ countries), Sergek (a smart city and video analytics system), and UMAI (a restaurant automation system that joined Y Combinator) have become symbols of the new Kazakhstani tech landscape.

Regional tech hubs are also thriving. For example, in Karaganda, the Terricon Valley IT Hub has hosted over 25 accelerators and incubators, supporting hundreds of startup teams. Many of them are building products for export, not just local markets.

Artificial intelligence — not the future, but the present

AI in Kazakhstan goes far beyond ChatGPT. Machine learning technologies are already being used in agriculture, healthcare, public administration, and even anti-corruption efforts.

Redflags.ai analyzes millions of tenders to identify high-risk purchases. Its solutions are being implemented by both government and private sector players seeking transparency.

The team behind JolQal.ai developed a road monitoring system using AI and won the Build with AI for Sustainable Growth competition, being recognized as the top project in Central Asia.

At the Digital Almaty forum, the Prime Minister highlighted local AI startups like Cerebra AI, Alaqan, Codiplay, and Arlan Biotech, some of which are already valued in the tens of millions of dollars.

Education is also adapting. At Terricon School, students learn not only frontend and backend development, but also how to integrate neural network APIs, build ML models, and work with real data — all grounded in practical application.

Startups, hubs, and Tech Orda

Startups are the backbone of Kazakhstan's new digital economy. In the past year alone, over 1,000 new teams have registered at Astana Hub. They benefit from mentorship, tax incentives, and access to international markets. For instance, Atlas, a Big Data platform, completed an acceleration program at Draper University (USA).

The Tech Orda program, launched by Astana Hub, funds tuition at private IT schools across the country. Students from 20+ cities now study coding, analytics, design, and other digital skills — often for free. In 2024, 3.5 billion tenge was allocated, helping over 3,000 students gain new qualifications.

This is already changing the game: in cities like Karaganda, Shymkent, and Kostanay, students are getting jobs with foreign companies — fully remote and well-paid — just months after graduation.

What this means for you

Kazakhstan’s IT boom isn’t just a trend — it’s an open door. The key is not to watch from the sidelines but to understand how you can participate.

If you want to learn — the infrastructure is there. If you're already working — you can reskill and find a new role. If you're a business owner — now is the time to integrate digital tools and technologies.

IT no longer requires a move to the capital or the right connections. With motivation and a starting point, everything else can be learned. Kazakhstan is building the system. All that’s left is to take a step toward it.

#Tech Orda 2024 #Astana Hub #Terricon School