Building Digital Regions: Kazakhstan Scales Technological Ecosystems

A roundtable entitled "Digital Regions of Kazakhstan" was held on the sidelines of the Digital Qazaqstan 2026 forum, dedicated to the development of digital infrastructure, the deployment of artificial intelligence, and the formation of sustainable technology ecosystems in the regions.

Participants discussed the transition from fragmented digitalisation to a systemic development model in which data, regional IT hubs, and talent development play a central role. Particular attention was paid to the creation of regional "data lakes" as the foundational infrastructure for deploying AI-based solutions — from urban environment management to the development of the agro-industrial sector.

Deputy Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Dmitry Mun noted that intelligent systems in the regions are not about technology for its own sake — they are about efficiency, equal access to services, and real economic returns. The task is to introduce unified digital standards so that a resident of any rural district has the same intelligent access to healthcare, education, and government services as a city dweller. Digital convenience must become the baseline quality of life standard for every Kazakhstani.

Continuing the theme of ecosystem development, Astana Hub CEO Magzhan Madiyev presented the strategy for building regional IT hubs as growth points for local technology ecosystems. He noted that Kazakhstan's digital transformation is entering a new stage, where regions are becoming centres of attraction for talent, investment, and technology entrepreneurship.

Astana Hub's results have become a powerful argument in favour of developing 19 regional IT hubs. The central platform's achievements are impressive: investment inflows from Google and Microsoft, the creation of 30,000 jobs, and a 67-fold increase in the combined revenue of participants to 2.5 trillion tenge. Thanks to the unique tax multiplier effect proven at the capital level, regional hubs receive a ready-made formula for success. The development of this network will decentralise the IT industry, providing local businesses with the same tools for explosive growth and infrastructure expansion that have already proven effective at the national scale.

He also noted that ecosystem development follows a full-funnel principle — from Startup School and Startup Orda programmes to international accelerators, including the Silkway Accelerator implemented with Google for Startups, Hero Training, and AlchemistX. This enables startups to attract investment, gain access to infrastructure, and enter the markets of the United States, the UAE, and China. Successful cases include CITIX and Arlan Biotech, confirming Kazakhstan's potential as a technology bridge between regions.

Alem.ai Foundation CEO Adina Magavina focused her address on talent development as a key element of digital transformation. She presented TUMO and Tomorrow School as the foundation for developing a new generation of specialists in artificial intelligence, programming, and creative industries, providing free access to modern IT education.

It was noted that the TUMO Astana centre, established on the basis of alem.ai, is part of the international network of creative technology centres providing supplementary education for teenagers aged 12 to 18 in areas related to AI, IT, creative skills, and digital industries. The centre is already demonstrating high demand: more than 2,700 participants have registered, over 1,600 students are enrolled, against a planned annual capacity of up to 5,000. The platform serves as a pilot and operational hub for the further scaling of the network to Kazakhstan's regions.

Tomorrow School is Kazakhstan's first peer-to-peer programming and artificial intelligence school, built on a practice-oriented model without traditional teachers, with a key emphasis on working on real projects and mutual learning among participants. The project has entered its active scaling phase: campuses are being launched in 17 regions and 2 cities of national significance, in partnership with regional universities and local executive bodies.

The discussion also featured the Head of the Digital Transformation Department of Shymkent Mukhit Kemelov and the Head of the Office of the Akim of North Kazakhstan Region Ruslan Ålishev. Participants further highlighted the importance of practical implementation of digital solutions at the city and rural level, including Smart City development, AI deployment in the agro-industrial sector, IT infrastructure creation in district centres, and improving the accessibility of digital government services.

General partner — Freedom Bank. Platinum partner — Alageum Electric. Gold partner — Kazakhtelecom. Innovation partners — WSE, Damumed. Partner — Visa.