Kazakhstan, World Bank Bolster Partnership in Digital Infrastructure and Connectivity

Kazakhstan has a significant opportunity to evolve from a consumer of technology into a producer and exporter of digital services and AI-driven solutions, according to Sangbu Kim, the Vice President for Digital and AI at the World Bank Group. This ambition aligns with the World Bank's strategy to scale up implementation and develop replicable solutions for countries worldwide.

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Kazakhstan has a real opportunity to move beyond being a user of technology to becoming an exporter of digital services and AI-enabled solutions.

During a visit to Astana, Kim met with Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov on June 15 to discuss enhancing cooperation in digitalization, artificial intelligence, GovTech, and telecommunications infrastructure. Kazakhstan is recognized for its progress, being in Group A of the GovTech Maturity Index, which assesses key areas of digital government globally. The country is already engaged in joint projects with the World Bank focused on developing AI talent and accelerating digitalization for economic inclusivity.

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Kazakhstan’s ambition to position itself as a regional hub also offers opportunities to attract investment and develop solutions that can be adapted, scaled and deployed beyond the country’s borders.

Kim noted Kazakhstan's "impressive progress" in areas like digital government and innovation, citing the "Digital Family Card" as an example of an efficient digital tool for accessing government support, which could serve as a model for other nations. He believes Kazakhstan's goal to become a regional hub can attract investment and foster the development of scalable digital solutions.

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The next step is to translate this progress into a more competitive digital economy, one that generates services, products, and expertise for the region and beyond, while also supporting jobs and productivity growth at home.

"The next step is to translate this progress into a more competitive digital economy, one that generates services, products, and expertise for the region and beyond, while also supporting jobs and productivity growth at home," Kim stated. He emphasized that realizing this potential requires strong fundamentals: robust digital infrastructure, skilled talent, reliable data systems, effective institutions, and a stable investment climate. The World Bank Group's engagement is focused on supporting Kazakhstan's "Digital Qazaqstan Strategy" through scalable solutions in line with its own Digital and AI strategy.

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Realizing this opportunity depends on getting the fundamentals right. This means having strong digital infrastructure, skilled talent, reliable data systems, effective institutions, and a predictable investment environment.