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Kazakhstan Digitalization Digital Service Mobile application Drivers Traffic incidents

Kazakhstan Launches Digital Highway Assistance Service

Kazakhstan has introduced a new digital service enabling drivers to notify fellow motorists about emergency situations on the road, an initiative designed to foster mutual assistance and reduce traffic incidents. Using a mobile application, drivers can input the license plate number of a vehicle they observe in trouble and send an anonymous alert to its owner. The system covers common scenarios such as a flat tire, an open window, a car blocking the road, activated alarms, or situations where another vehicle has collided with a parked car. The list of alert types may expand over time, and all messages are sent anonymously and free of charge to both sender and recipient. “If you notice that a car has been left with an open window or is blocking the driveway, all you have to do is enter the license plate number and select the situation. The driver will receive an anonymous notification,” said Zhaslan Madiev, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry. “We expect that this service will become a tool of mutual support and civil responsibility among drivers and will lead to the minimization of emergency situations on the roads.” The initiative was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The two institutions also plan to integrate augmented reality and computer vision technologies into Kazakhstan’s driver licensing procedures. Expanding Digital Public Services Kazakhstan continues to expand its portfolio of digital services in the transportation sector. According to Arman Kenzhegaliev, Chairman of the state corporation Government for Citizens, the country delivered 3 million vehicle-related services in the past year, including digital signing of sale and purchase agreements, expedited production of registration plates, and online auto insurance issuance. “We plan to launch a platform for document processing, introduce biometric identification, and implement a service to check vehicle history,” said Kenzhegaliev. In 2024, Kazakhstan expects to provide 341 million public services, 91% of them remotely. Currently, 92% of all public services are accessible online. Digital ID Cards and Data Protection By the end of April, Kazakhstan will roll out a digital alternative to physical identity cards. The new system, which has already undergone testing, allows citizens to verify their identity through the eGov platform, upload a photo and signature, pay online, and receive an SMS once the document is ready. To protect personal data, a new government-run data access control service has been launched. Citizens will now receive notifications when someone attempts to access their personal data and can block unauthorized attempts in real time. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is also investing in infrastructure to support the introduction of artificial intelligence systems, with international partners, including those from Singapore, contributing to the development of data centers and digital frameworks across the country.

SIM cards Digital Service restrictions Telecommunications Fraud

Kazakhstan to Curb SIM Card Issuance Amid Rising Digital Fraud

Kazakhstan is considering new restrictions on the number of SIM cards individuals and legal entities can possess, in a bid to combat growing digital fraud. The proposal was announced by First Deputy Prosecutor General Timur Tashimbayev during a parliamentary session where the corresponding bill is under discussion. Targeting Scams Through Regulation The draft legislation proposes a cap, either five or ten SIM cards per individual, as well as the introduction of video verification during registration, mirroring procedures used in the financial sector. “Unfortunately, anyone can currently purchase SIM cards with virtually no oversight. They’re sold in stores, handed out during promotions, and it’s nearly impossible to track who is using them and for what purpose,” Tashimbayev said. In collaboration with mobile operators, the Prosecutor General’s Office has also developed methods to detect so-called SIM boxes, devices used to mask international internet calls as local traffic. In the past year, law enforcement seized 78 such devices and over 50,000 SIM cards connected to illegal operations. Data and Legislative Developments Since 2019, Kazakhstan has mandated registration of mobile devices through a combination of IMEI number, SIM card, and the subscriber’s Individual Identification Number (IIN), creating a digital footprint for each user. Despite this, new forms of fraud continue to emerge. In 2023, discussions began around biometric identification for remote telecom services. The plan would require users to provide facial recognition data when registering SIM cards, a move aimed at deterring the use of fake identities. Reclaiming the Numbering Plan In October 2024, Vice Minister of Digital Development Askhat Orazbek announced plans to return control over the country’s numbering plan to the state. Under the proposal, new numbers would be issued via the eGov portal and its mobile app. The initiative also includes differentiating SIM cards by purpose. While private users will face strict limits, legal entities will be required to justify the need for each card issued. “We will cap the number of SIM cards per person. Legal entities issuing them on a large scale must provide documentation justifying their use,” Orazbek stated. Universal SIM Cards on the Horizon Alongside restrictions, Kazakhstan is considering the rollout of universal SIM cards. Enabled by a draft law on virtual telecom operators, these cards would be compatible with the nearest base stations of any network provider, thanks to shared infrastructure access. Adapting to New Digital Threats With cyber fraud becoming increasingly sophisticated, Kazakhstan is taking a multi-pronged approach to enhance digital security. The proposed limits on SIM card ownership, enhanced registration protocols, and the development of virtual operators are central to this evolving strategy to combat telecom-related crime.

Digital Service smuggling Telecommunications Digital Technologies

Kazakhstan to Crack Down on “Gray” Smartphones

Starting March 24, 2025, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry will require telecom operators to verify the IMEI codes of smartphones and disconnect illegally purchased devices. According to ministry officials, the new regulation will apply only to phones purchased after March 24, 2025. Under the new system, all smartphones in Kazakhstan will be categorized into three lists based on their IMEI codes: White List: Legally purchased smartphones. Gray List: Devices with suspicious IMEI codes, such as duplicates. Owners will have 30 days to confirm their device's legitimacy. Black List: Stolen or counterfeit phones, which will be blocked from network access. “The goal of these new regulations is to combat the circulation of illegal devices,” said Dias Tolegenov, head of the Monitoring and Development of Wireless Projects Department at the ministry’s Telecommunications Committee. Phones imported before March 24, 2025, will not be affected by the new rules. Buyers can already check a device’s IMEI code on a dedicated government portal to avoid purchasing illegal or counterfeit smartphones. Azamat Seriktaev, another ministry representative, noted that blocking stolen phones through IMEI registration will help reduce mobile device theft. Meanwhile, the regulations are expected to curb the flow of illegally imported or fraudulently registered devices. According to Mazhilis deputy Ekaterina Smyshlyaeva, 64% of mobile devices in Kazakhstan’s market are imported through illegal or “gray” schemes: “In 2024, the state lost nearly 100 billion tenge (approximately $196 million) in unpaid value-added tax (VAT) due to these illegal imports.” She outlined several common fraudulent practices, including: Customs Evasion: Phones are imported without proper customs clearance. Mislabeling: High-end smartphones are registered as budget models to reduce tax liabilities. IMEI Duplication: Fraudsters copy the IMEI numbers of legally imported devices and assign them to multiple smuggled phones - sometimes up to five or six per code. “Often, people check a new phone’s IMEI and find out that, according to the system, it was manufactured 10 years ago,” Smyshlyaeva noted. To further tighten control, Smyshlyaeva suggested: Integrating IMEI registration with customs data to detect fraudulent imports. Automatically cross-checking IMEI numbers with the Customs Register of Intellectual Property Objects. Limiting personal imports to two smartphones per year per individual to prevent bulk smuggling. Separately, Mazhilis deputy and former Education Minister Askhat Aimagambetov have proposed restrictions on children’s use of smartphones in schools. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, Kyrgyzstan is considering similar measures in schools and universities.

Public Security Digitalization Digital Service international tourism

Kazakhstan to Provide Tourists with QR-Code Security Cards

Foreign visitors entering Kazakhstan will now receive a special card with a QR code linking to the multilingual portal SafeTravel.kz, a platform designed to enhance tourist safety and provide access to essential services. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched this initiative as part of broader efforts to improve security measures for foreign visitors. Cards with QR codes are now being distributed at border checkpoints and airports, with the first set already in use at Kazakhstan’s international airport in Astana. Through SafeTravel.kz, tourists can access: The "102" mobile app for instant contact with police, including an SOS function A memo on migration laws and entry requirements A city map with links to navigation and travel apps A list of official taxi and online transport services Information on telecommunications operators with links to their websites Emergency response guidelines for various incidents Contact details for ambulance, fire, and rescue services Kazakhstan’s introduction of this QR-code security system aims to ensure a safer and more convenient experience for international travelers by providing quick access to emergency services and essential information.

Digital Service AI Digital Technologies China

China’s AgiBot to Produce Robots in Kazakhstan

Chinese robotics company AgiBot plans to establish a joint venture in Kazakhstan to manufacture and deploy robots at industrial facilities across the country. The company also aims to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) solutions as part of its expansion strategy. An agreement of intent was signed between AgiBot and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry during the Digital Almaty 2025 forum. Qazaqstan Investment Corporation JSC, a private equity fund founded in 2007 to support private equity and venture capital development, will also participate in the project. To implement the initiative, AgiBot has partnered with EWPartners, a private investment firm specializing in cross-border collaborations with leading Chinese industrial companies. AgiBot, founded in February 2023, focuses on the development and production of general-purpose humanoid robots for industrial and domestic use. Kazakhstan is the first country in the region where AgiBot plans to localize production and expand exports. As part of the partnership, the company is expected to launch a “data factory” for training robots and robotic systems. Qazaqstan Investment Corporation and EWPartners will contribute to financing this project. Additionally, a joint R&D center and an exhibition of AgiBot prototypes are set to be established at the Alem AI International Center for Artificial Intelligence. AgiBot also intends to collaborate with Kazakhstani universities to develop joint research projects and train students in robot assembly. “Partnership with an advanced company like AgiBot is an important milestone in the history of Kazakhstan’s robotics industry. I would especially like to highlight that this agreement includes the localization of robot production in Kazakhstan. This will not only help launch a facility in one of the most promising branches of mechanical engineering but also strengthen local expertise and create a domestic center of competence in robotics,” said Zhaslan Madiev, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan exports IT products and services to 95 countries. With AgiBot’s involvement, the country may soon add robot exports to its growing digital economy.

Economy economic Digitalization Digital Service e-Commerce

Kazakhstan’s Digital Exports Expand

Kazakhstan exported $471 million worth of IT services to 95 countries during the first nine months of last year, according to Zhaslan Madiyev, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry (MDDIAI). The primary driver of export revenue in Kazakhstan's IT services market is Astana Hub, the largest international technology park for IT startups in Central Asia, located in the country's capital. Astana Hub is home to over 1,500 companies, including 400 international firms. In 2024, its total revenue reached 620 billion KZT ($1.1 billion), with export revenue amounting to 227 billion KZT ($428 million) across 92 countries. Additionally, the products of JSC "National Information Technologies" (NIT JSC), the operator of Kazakhstan’s “e-government” infrastructure, have also entered global markets. According to Madiyev, NIT JSC’s main exported products include Smart Data Ukimet, Smart Bridge, and Gov.kz: Smart Data Ukimet: An information-analytical platform designed for the secure collection, storage, and analysis of data from government information systems. Smart Bridge: A platform that simplifies integration processes between government agencies and private businesses through a "service showcase" model. Gov.kz: A unified platform for the online resources of government agencies. The export of Kazakhstan’s digital public services (GovTech) reached $2.7 million, with these solutions currently supplied to Tajikistan, Togo, and Sierra Leone. In addition to GovTech, Kazakhstan’s IT exports also include software, computer games, fintech solutions, and marketplaces. Among the largest exporters are five software developers, three computer game companies, one fintech firm, and one marketplace. “Most of the major exporters are foreign companies that have relocated to Kazakhstan, creating new jobs in major cities and regions, as well as contributing to export revenue,” said Madiyev. Kazakhstan has made significant strides in developing its IT infrastructure. The country now boasts 20 regional IT hubs that work closely with Astana Hub, fostering innovation across the nation. Furthermore, Kazakhstan is establishing an international network of IT hubs by opening IT offices in the United States, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. “Kazakhstani startups now have foreign infrastructure to attract investment and expand their export markets,” said Madiyev. The minister also announced the launch of a fund of venture capital funds under the jurisdiction of the International Financial Center Astana (MFCA), based at Astana Hub. This fund, with an expected capital of $1 billion, will finance IT startups in Kazakhstan. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is home to 12 regional IT hubs that are actively contributing to the country’s growing digital economy.