Kazakhstan is preparing to implement an ambitious project that will allow it to host data from foreign countries, according to infohub.kz.
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov chaired a meeting on the progress of the Data Center Valley project in the Pavlodar region. Construction of the first facility with a capacity of 50 MW is now in its active phase. By the end of the year, the main data center buildings, power units, an administrative and utility complex, checkpoints, and part of the external utility networks are planned to be erected. Commissioning works will be completed in May 2027, with the facility set to go live in June 2027.
According to the government, the project is a scalable platform for hosting data centers, AI factories, GPU clusters, and cloud platforms for international hyperscalers. Its implementation will create a new export-oriented digital economy sector in Kazakhstan and provide IT infrastructure for developing domestic AI solutions.
"Data Center Valley is shaping Kazakhstan's new export potential. By hosting computing power within the country, we are creating conditions for developing domestic AI solutions, attracting global companies, and enabling Kazakhstan to enter the international digital services market," said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiev.
As part of the project, cooperation with several foreign companies is being explored to create additional IT capacities. Negotiations also cover attracting new investors and anchor clients, hosting high-performance computing clusters, and developing cloud services.
Additionally, the country is preparing for the Cloud First Policy (Data Embassy) project, which would allow foreign governments to store data in Kazakhstan while retaining full legal sovereignty over it.