Kazakhstan has firmly cemented its status as a key technology hub in Central Asia, not only dominating the region but also surpassing global benchmarks across a number of critical metrics. According to the latest "Digital 2026" report, internet penetration in the country has reached an impressive 93.4%, placing the country among global digital leaders and significantly exceeding the regional average of 82%, reports Zakon.kz.
This success has become the foundation for declaring 2026 the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in the country. In terms of connection quality, the country has demonstrated a clear leadership in the mobile segment: the median mobile internet speed in Kazakhstan reached 93.1 Mbps, almost twice that of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. However, the situation is different in the fixed-line internet segment: with speeds of 83.5 Mbps, Kazakhstan has begun to lag behind some of its neighbors, highlighting the urgent need to further modernize terrestrial infrastructure and expand fiber optic networks beyond major cities.
Citizens' digital activity has also reached abnormally high levels: social media penetration in Kazakhstan reached 80.8%, while the global average barely exceeds 68%. Kazakhstan remains the undisputed leader in TikTok audiences with 16.9 million users and maintains a two-fold lead in business networks such as LinkedIn, underscoring the population's focus on digital communications and business.
The formation of a legal framework for new technologies marked a significant development: the Law "On Artificial Intelligence" entered into force on January 18, 2026. This law introduced mandatory labeling of AI content and established strict penalties for the creation of deepfakes, making Kazakhstan a pioneer in the ethical regulation of neural networks in the region.
However, experts warn that to maintain leadership, it is necessary to bridge the persistent digital divide between cities and rural areas, as well as increase investment in science and technology. Full-scale implementation of AI will require not only the installation of new communication towers but also the creation of a uniform high-tech infrastructure across the country, so that current positions become the key to long-term technological sovereignty.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
January 19, 2026