The Kazakhstan Digital Acceleration for an Inclusive Economy Project

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Description

The Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MAIDD), in partnership with the World Bank, is implementing the Kazakhstan Digital Acceleration for an Inclusive Economy (DARE) Project as part of the National Project "Affordable Internet," established under Government Resolution No. 949 of 27 October 2023.

Implementation Period

2026–2027

Objectives

  • Expanding telecommunications infrastructure in rural areas;
  • Promoting a competitive environment among telecom operators;
  • Ensuring equal access for all telecom operators to the competition;
  • Upholding transparency and accountability through open competition and grant allocation procedures.

Goals

The Project's primary goal is to build high-speed telecommunications infrastructure in rural areas, extending fiber-optic networks to the household level and enabling rural residents to access internet services at speeds of at least 100 Mbps.

To that end, the Project will support the construction of fiber-optic communication lines in 1,123 rural localities (RLs) that currently lack a developed local high-speed internet access network:

  • Abai Region — 47 RLs
  • Akmola Region — 99 RLs
  • Aktobe Region — 45 RLs
  • Almaty Region — 69 RLs
  • Atyrau Region — 49 RLs
  • West Kazakhstan Region — 56 RLs
  • Zhambyl Region — 64 RLs
  • Zhetysu Region — 77 RLs
  • Karaganda Region — 68 RLs
  • Kostanay Region — 57 RLs
  • Kyzylorda Region — 63 RLs
  • Mangystau Region — 7 RLs
  • Pavlodar Region — 61 RLs
  • North Kazakhstan Region — 86 RLs
  • Turkestan Region — 195 RLs
  • Ulytau Region — 14 RLs
  • East Kazakhstan Region — 66 RLs

 

Once complete, the Project is expected to reach over 445,000 households and approximately 2.3 million people. The total length of newly constructed fiber-optic networks is projected at around 3,800 kilometers, with high-speed infrastructure coverage targeting a minimum of 80% of households.

 

Under the Project telecom operators will finance and construct the rural telecommunications infrastructure using their own funds. Upon completion, the Government will reimburse up to 50% of confirmed capital expenditures through non-repayable matching grants, while the constructed networks will remain on the operators' balance sheets. Participation will be determined through an Open Competition for Matching Grants for Partial Reimbursement of Rural Telecommunications Network Construction Costs.

 

The Project incorporates a structured environmental and social (E&S) risk management system organized around three interconnected workstreams:

  • Environmental risk management — covering pollution prevention, responsible waste management, construction safety, and compliance with applicable environmental standards;
  • Social risk management — covering labor management, protection of workers' rights, non-discrimination, stakeholder engagement, and operation of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM);
  • Monitoring and reporting — ensuring regular oversight of E&S activities, evaluating the effectiveness of implemented measures, and disclosing information in accordance with the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) and the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP).

 

To support effective implementation and delivery of the Project's targets, the Telecommunications Committee of MAIDD has established a Project Implementation Unit (PIU). The Project is currently in the activation stage; the Project Operations Manual (POM) and the Matching Grants Manual have been finalized.

Beyond its infrastructure dimension, the Project is designed to serve as a broader driver of socioeconomic transformation across all 17 regions of Kazakhstan.

The Environmental and Social Management Framework of the Kazakhstan Digital Acceleration for an Inclusive Economy Project

 

The Labor Management Procedures of the Kazakhstan Digital Acceleration for an Inclusive Economy Project

 

The Stakeholder Engagement Plan of the Kazakhstan Digital Acceleration for an Inclusive Economy Project

 

Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) for Kazakhstan Digital Acceleration for an Inclusive Economy Project

 

Matching Grants Manual

 

List of Rural Localities

 

Interactive Map of Rural Localities (RLs)

Project Announcements

Information on the Status of Project Implementation

Competitive Bidding Results