U.S.-Kazakhstan Relations - The Times Of Central Asia

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Advanced Technologies

Kazakhstan Turns from Pipelines to Processors

Kazakhstan’s strategic plan for advanced computing represents a diversification of its traditional oil, gas, and transit profile and of the wider national economy. A $2 billion Nvidia-linked initiative now turns on three main elements. First is a national supercomputer using Nvidia H200 chips, with headline AI performance around 2 exaflops. Second is a planned 100 MW data-center campus, designed to expand capacity for commercial users over several years. Third is a “sovereign AI hub” concept that promises long-term chip access for sensitive public-sector workloads. Prior to this package, Kazakhstan had already moved unusually quickly to build high-end AI and computing infrastructure, treating digital capacity as central to its development policy. The national supercomputer is now the most powerful system in Central Asia and is housed in a Tier III state data center intended for use by universities, startups, and corporate tenants. The hardware push accompanies a wider digital policy agenda, including new training programs with Nvidia to expand the country’s AI talent base. Parallel initiatives with the United States seek to anchor Kazakhstan more firmly within Western regulatory and connectivity frameworks, as part of a broader attempt to move beyond hydrocarbons and build domestic capability in computation-heavy activities. Kazakhstan’s New AI Statecraft Astana is presenting the Nvidia package as an economic instrument, not just a hardware upgrade. Senior officials now describe advanced computing as a new pillar of national development, on a par with hydrocarbons and transit. Recent policy statements frame AI and digital infrastructure as central, not a side theme of “innovation” policy. In parallel, the long-running “Digital Kazakhstan” agenda has moved from e-government and broadband roll-out into a second phase where data centers, national platforms, and specialized training come to the foreground. Within that shift, “sovereign AI” is becoming a core organizing idea. Officials and local specialists talk about national language models that can handle Kazakh, Russian, and other regional languages, and about keeping sensitive public-sector data on infrastructure under national jurisdiction. The new supercomputer and the sovereign AI hub are presented as the place where that work will happen at scale: training and serving models for government services, regulatory tasks, and domestic firms, rather than relying entirely on foreign platforms. The Nvidia partnership is therefore framed as a way to secure long-term access to leading chips for these “sovereign” workloads, even as global export rules tighten. The same initiative also underwrites a shift in Kazakhstan’s self-presentation from a “pipeline corridor” to Kazakhstan as a corridor for data and high-end digital services. The government has begun to link the sovereign AI hub and supercomputer to a set of fiber-optic projects across the Caspian that aim to tie Central Asia more tightly into Eurasian data routes. The same geography that once made Kazakhstan a crucial link for oil, gas, and rail freight can now make it a regional conduit for digital traffic and AI-enabled services. Kazakhstan is also using the package to deepen a specific diplomatic track with the United States. Joint announcements and working groups on digital transformation,...

Higher Education

InnoTech University to Launch in Almaty with Arizona State University Support

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education and Q Group have signed an agreement with Arizona State University (U.S.) to establish the University of Innovation and Technology powered by Arizona State University (InnoTech) in Almaty. According to the ministry, the creation of InnoTech aligns with Kazakhstan’s broader strategy to enhance international educational partnerships and foster the development of innovative technologies. The university is set to become a world-class platform offering academic mobility, scientific collaboration, and practice-oriented training in engineering, IT, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development. A distinctive feature of InnoTech will be its dual-degree offering: graduates will receive both a Kazakh diploma and an American degree from Arizona State University. This model is intended to boost the global competitiveness of Kazakh students in the international job market. Undergraduate and graduate programs are expected to begin in 2026, with preparations already underway for the construction of a modern campus in Almaty. [caption id="attachment_39097" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Image: gov.kz[/caption] In related news, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Arizona State University, and Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan University have signed a memorandum of cooperation to promote academic collaboration. The agreement covers the implementation of internationally recognized educational programs, joint research initiatives, and expanded academic mobility for students and faculty of the Kazakh university. As part of the new collaboration, students enrolled in a dual-degree program will study for three years in Kazakhstan and one year at Arizona State University in the U.S., earning degrees in Computer Science/Informatics from both institutions. Additionally, for the first time in Kazakhstan, an Honors College will be established with Arizona State University’s support. The college will offer enriched academic programs for high-achieving students, including research opportunities and leadership development.

Digital Technologies

Kazakhstan Advances Digital Transformation with U.S. Partnerships

Kazakhstan, Central Asia’s largest economy, is rapidly positioning itself as a regional leader in digital transformation. Increasingly, United States partners no longer view Kazakhstan solely as a source of natural resources. Instead, future cooperation is expected to expand into digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). Advances in Digitalization In October, Kazakhstan reaffirmed its digital ambitions with a major technological breakthrough. Kaspi, the country’s leading fintech firm and a systemically important bank, launched Kaspi Alaqan, a palm-based payment system that requires no phone, card, or internet connection. The service will debut in December 2025 through dedicated ATMs in Almaty before expanding nationwide. Analysts say the innovation puts Kaspi on par with Amazon One and China’s WeChat, highlighting Kazakhstan’s readiness to adopt cutting-edge global technologies. Traditionally associated with oil, gas, and uranium, Kazakhstan is now investing heavily in becoming Central Asia’s digital hub, an evolution that presents strategic opportunities for the U.S. Partnerships in digital governance, AI, and innovation ecosystems align closely with Washington vision for expanded cooperation in Eurasia. According to the United Nations, Kazakhstan ranked 24th globally in digital development as of June 2025, placing in the top 10 for online public services. Services such as school enrollment, vehicle registration, and passport issuance have been fully digitized, requiring minimal citizen effort. In some cases, the process is faster than in many Western countries. Kazakhstan’s government aims to double its GDP to $450 billion by 2029, a target that will require more than a 2.5-fold increase in investment. Digital technologies are central to this strategy. To manage this transformation, a new Investment Board was established in October 2025 to oversee large-scale projects and determine economic priorities. In September, the Mazhilis (lower house of parliament) passed a landmark law on artificial intelligence. Deputies highlighted fairness, transparency, and the protection of personal data as key legal principles. The newly launched National Artificial Intelligence Platform hosts over 100 AI agents that support e-government functions and expand access to technology. Additionally, in July, Kazakhstan introduced a supercomputer powered by NVIDIA H200 GPUs. With performance reaching 2 exaflops (FP8), it is the most powerful computing system in Central Asia. Startups, universities, and research centers now have access to this infrastructure. The language models KazLLM and Alem LLM have also been introduced, capable of generating content in Kazakh, Russian, English, and Turkish. For the U.S., Kazakhstan’s AI ecosystem offers a valuable partner for collaborative research, ethical framework development, and State Department–supported initiatives using AI for sustainable development. Investing in the Future U.S.–Kazakhstan cooperation in digital innovation is already accelerating. In September, Amazon announced a $200 million investment in Kazakhstan’s internet infrastructure. A distribution agreement with Kazakhtelecom will bring Amazon’s Kuiper satellite network to the republic, improving connectivity and driving economic growth. Additionally, 24 startups from Central Eurasia have joined U.S. accelerator programs such as AlchemistX and Silicon Valley Residency. These initiatives, launched in September in Palo Alto, connect regional teams with U.S. venture capital and technology ecosystems. Kazakhstan is also advancing blockchain infrastructure. Astana recently launched the...

U.S.-Kazakhstan Relations

Kazakhstan Strengthens Role as U.S. Key Trade Partner in Central Asia

Kazakhstan has emerged as the United States’ primary economic partner in Central Asia, accounting for the vast majority of regional exports to the U.S. and serving as the leading destination for American imports, according to Finprom.kz. While Central Asia’s share of total U.S. trade remains small, Kazakhstan’s role within the region is increasingly dominant. Kazakhstan Accounts for Over 96% of Central Asia’s U.S. Exports In 2024, Kazakhstan was responsible for 96.7% of Central Asia’s exports to the United States, totaling approximately $2.4 billion out of a regional total of $2.5 billion. Uzbekistan, the next largest exporter, contributed just $44.4 million. The trend is similar for U.S. goods entering the region. Kazakhstan imported $1.1 billion worth of U.S. goods in 2024, or 62.3% of all American exports to Central Asia. Uzbekistan followed with $380.8 million, while Turkmenistan and Tajikistan imported $82.2 million and $56.8 million, respectively. Despite this strong bilateral exchange, Central Asia remains a small player in U.S. global trade. In 2024, the U.S. recorded $3.27 trillion in goods imports and $2.06 trillion in exports, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Even so, U.S.–Kazakhstan trade has grown meaningfully in recent years. Between 2019 and 2024, the U.S. share of Kazakhstan’s total trade rose from 2.3% to around 3%. Bilateral trade peaked in 2024 at $4.2 billion, the highest level in six years, with U.S. exports to Kazakhstan accounting for 53.2% of the total. Trade Growth and 2025 Downturn That growth slowed sharply in 2025. From January to August, total trade between the two countries fell to $2.1 billion, a 25.8% drop compared to the same period in 2024. Kazakhstan’s exports to the U.S. accounted for much of the decline, falling to $749.7 million in the first nine months of the year - about half the level recorded the previous year. Oil and oil products saw the steepest drop, falling 3.5 times to $269.1 million. Exports of uranium, silver, ferroalloys, tantalum, and titanium also declined, though these remain important categories. By contrast, U.S. exports to Kazakhstan remained relatively stable. Goods shipments fell just 4.8% year-on-year, totaling approximately $1.7 billion from January through September. U.S. exports to Kazakhstan continue to consist primarily of high-value manufactured goods, including vehicles, aircraft, agricultural machinery, computers, telecommunications equipment, and medical devices. Pharmaceuticals stood out in 2025, with American shipments of medicines and vaccines more than doubling to $249.3 million in the first nine months of the year. Investment and Business Cooperation Deepen Alongside trade, investment, and business cooperation between the two countries is also deepening. According to the Kazakh Prime Minister’s office, more than 600 companies with U.S. capital were operating in the country as of late 2025 – a large increase over the previous year. The number of Kazakh-American joint ventures rose by 5.6% over the same period. U.S. companies are active in a range of sectors, including IT, manufacturing, education, consulting, and trade. While the United States is not among Kazakhstan’s top trading partners by volume, the relationship is seen as strategically important. Amid...

Foreign Investment

Kazakhstan Courts Global Investment with Critical Minerals and Green Energy Push

Since gaining independence, Kazakhstan has established itself as a reliable global supplier of raw materials. Today, the country's economic structure is evolving as it positions itself as a high-added-value hub for industrial production. These developments are closely tied to Kazakhstan’s transition to a green economy and its role in global supply chains for critical minerals. Creating a Favorable Investment Climate Kazakhstan has taken significant steps to create a transparent, predictable investment environment and enhance its business competitiveness. Among these measures is the introduction of investment agreements that guarantee legislative stability for up to 25 years for large projects exceeding $60 million. The legal framework has also undergone reforms, procurement procedures have been modernized, and judicial reforms have created separate cassation courts and redefined the Supreme Court’s role. These reforms have drawn the attention of international investors and rating agencies. In 2024, Moody’s upgraded Kazakhstan’s long-term credit rating to the highest level in the country's history, citing macroeconomic stability and policy predictability. In the first nine months of 2025, GDP grew by 6.3%, while investment in fixed capital rose by 13.5% to reach $26 billion. Moody’s analysts also highlighted Kazakhstan’s stronger economic outlook compared to other hydrocarbon-exporting nations, attributing this to ongoing reforms that enhance the country’s competitiveness. One key driver is the rapid development of the transport and logistics sector, particularly through the Trans-Caspian International Trade Route, also known as the Middle Corridor. This corridor is attracting foreign investors across a range of non-oil sectors, including automotive, pharmaceuticals, food production, and construction materials. Kazakhstan is also home to the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), a platform that operates under English common law. The AIFC offers tax exemptions, simplified labor regulations, and digital arbitration. It currently ranks first in Eastern Europe and Central Asia in the Global Financial Centres Index. More than 4,200 companies from 80 countries, including over 60 American firms, are registered with the AIFC. Strategic Projects Take Shape Kazakhstan’s diversification strategy and focus on critical minerals were prominently showcased during the 8th Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable (KGIR-2025), held in Astana in October. The event attracted over 1,000 participants from 55 countries, resulting in the signing of 49 agreements worth $7.5 billion. A key session focused on critical minerals and the energy transition, signaling the country’s long-term growth trajectory. Among the highlights was a meeting between the government and Mohammad Vahid Sheikhzadeh Najjar, CEO of FakoorSanat Tehran Engineering Co., to explore cooperation in mining and metallurgy, including new technologies for processing mineral raw materials. Sheikhzadeh Najjar noted that the global market for critical minerals, currently valued at $328 billion, is expected to double by 2032. He emphasized that Kazakhstan is well-positioned to lead this growth. Environmental initiatives, such as a project to process 55 billion tons of mining waste, offer additional economic potential. Meanwhile, Chinese investor Zhang Jintao, founder of Chengdu Sepmem Energy, proposed a long-term plan to develop an LNG cluster in Kazakhstan. The project envisions a nationwide network of LNG plants and supporting infrastructure to reduce emissions...

critical raw materials

U.S. Backs Private Bid for Kazakhstan’s Tungsten

The United States is facilitating a private American bid by Cove Kaz Capital Group LLC for Kazakhstan’s Upper Kairakty and North Katpar tungsten deposits, in competition with state-backed Chinese bidders. Tungsten is not a rare earth element, but it is a critical raw material. In particular, it underpins armor-piercing ammunition, penetrators, and high-temperature tooling used across aerospace and industrial manufacturing. Reporting indicates direct engagement by senior U.S. officials and active coordination with Kazakhstan’s sovereign-wealth ecosystem. The metal’s significance elevates the commercial negotiation into a strategic policy. The policy driver is diversification away from China’s dominance along the mine-to-powder supply chains. China accounts for well over four-fifths of global tungsten production and processing, and tightened export controls in 2025 have upset pricing and availability. The U.S. has established a procurement deadline of 2027 to avoid sourcing from China or Russia for covered defense uses. All this adds urgency to securing non-Chinese volumes. Kazakhstan’s revived tungsten sector includes a newly opened processing plant, with destinations not yet announced for the concentrate to be produced. The country thus offers a practical non-Chinese source of tungsten. Strategic Stakes and Principal Actors The American role would be one of facilitation and financing, rather than ownership. The administration has supported talks linking Cove Kaz to Kazakhstan’s Samruk-Kazyna and relevant mining entities. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is mentioned as a key interlocutor. Potential financial tools include the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the Export-Import Bank. Insurance (EXIM), guarantees, or direct loans from these institutions would offset pricing and risk advantages historically offered by Chinese bidders. The U.S. government’s approach is to enable a private operator to compete without placing federal equity as an asset. Kazakhstan’s Samruk-Kazyna and its mining arm Tau-Ken Samruk coordinate with the national exploration company Qazgeology. Kazakhstan has pursued a wider critical-minerals investment agenda, signaling its openness to joint ventures and privatization pathways under a special legal regime that provides a familiar legal and compliance framework for Western partners. That structure streamlines licensing and dispute resolution and has already been used for joint ventures in other critical minerals projects. China remains the current market leader, dominating tungsten mining, ammonium paratungstate (APT) conversion, and downstream powders and carbides. Beijing’s 2025 export controls cover tungsten, tightening an already narrow global market and raising the policy value of non-Chinese options. Reports of Chinese interest in Vietnam’s Nui Phao tungsten complex underscore that non-Chinese sources face active competition, framing Kazakhstan’s appeal to Western buyers. The Assets and Kazakhstan’s Capacity Rebuild Kazakhstan suspended tungsten production after the 1990s but has moved over the past several years to re-establish a mine-to-processing base, with corporate and ministerial communications emphasizing the strategic nature of these deposits for long-term development. Upper Kairakty (also rendered as Verkhneye or Upper Kayrakty) and North Katpar sit in the Karaganda Region and feature repeatedly in Samruk-linked materials as the top tungsten prospects. Upper Kairakty is by itself the world’s largest tungsten deposit, and represents over two-thirds of the total tungsten reserves across the ex-Soviet territories. One...