Kazakhstan is looking to attract the next wave of foreign investment by positioning itself as a regional hub for artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure.
Speaking at the 38th plenary session of the Foreign Investors' Council (FIC) in Astana, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called on global technology companies to help develop world-class AI infrastructure, describing digital sovereignty as central to the country's long-term economic resilience.
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"We invite capital leaders to leverage our unique jurisdiction as your secure, high-yield launching pad," Tokayev said.
Kazakhstan has accumulated more than €130 billion in net foreign direct investment, accounting for nearly 70% of all FDI in Central Asia, according to the president. The country intends to maintain its position as the region's leading investment destination while pursuing its goal of becoming a fully digital economy by 2029.
The annual council, which brings together the government and Kazakhstan's largest foreign investors, focused this year on artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, alongside reforms aimed at improving the country's investment climate.
Tokayev said Kazakhstan would continue simplifying business regulations, increasing transparency and creating more favourable conditions for international investors.
Building AI infrastructure
Developing large-scale digital infrastructure forms a central part of Kazakhstan's AI strategy.
The country is advancing plans for a one-gigawatt AI data centre campus while expanding international digital connectivity through a fibre-optic cable beneath the Caspian Sea. Officials also continue to promote reforms intended to facilitate cloud computing, artificial intelligence development and digital investment.
Working groups at the Foreign Investors' Council presented recommendations aimed at improving the investment environment, including proposals related to cross-border data transfers and digital regulation, which investors say are essential for accelerating AI adoption and attracting technology companies.
Kazakhstan recently signed memorandums with international partners, including Citi and Freedom Holding Corp, to explore financing models for developing a world-class AI cluster capable of supporting government institutions, businesses and researchers.
Critical minerals remain a strategic priority
Alongside artificial intelligence, Tokayev identified critical minerals as another major opportunity for foreign investment.
Kazakhstan is seeking to build a technology-driven ecosystem around the exploration, processing and production of critical minerals as global demand accelerates alongside the energy transition and AI industries.
To modernise the sector, the government has launched a Unified Subsoil Use Platform, digitising licensing procedures and automating 22 government services related to exploration and compliance.
More than 4.7 million historical geological records have also been digitised into a national database. Officials say artificial intelligence is now being used to convert legacy geological information into machine-readable datasets, allowing companies to analyse exploration data more efficiently.
The government is also establishing a Regional Research Centre for Rare Earth Metals to provide investors with higher-quality geological information and accelerate new discoveries.
Tokayev said embedding artificial intelligence throughout exploration, geological analysis and mining operations would improve resource efficiency and help unlock the country's next generation of critical mineral deposits.
"We invite global mining companies, technology leaders, financial institutions, and exploration partners to join us in unlocking the next generation of critical mineral resources," he said.
Moving further up the value chain
The focus on critical minerals extends beyond extraction.
On the forum's sidelines, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development announced financing for Kazakhstan's first large-scale refractory ore processing facility, supporting the country's efforts to expand domestic mineral processing.
The bank is providing a €255 million loan to support the construction of the Ertis pressure oxidation hydrometallurgical complex in the Pavlodar region. The facility, being developed by Solidcore Resources, will be capable of processing up to 278,500 tonnes of gold concentrate annually.
The project is expected to establish a new metallurgical segment within Kazakhstan's mining industry, supporting the country's broader strategy of moving beyond raw material exports towards higher-value processing and advanced industrial production.
Kazakhstan strengthens investor protections
Kazakhstan has introduced new legislation aimed at strengthening investor protection as it seeks to attract the next wave of foreign capital.
Under the reforms, state authorities can no longer inspect investors, suspend their operations, revoke licences or impose certain administrative restrictions without the approval of the prosecutor's office.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the new law, which entered into force this week, provides investors with the country's strongest legal safeguards to date.
"The new provisions provide the highest level of legal protection for investors," Tokayev said.
The reforms come as Kazakhstan continues to improve its investment framework while seeking to reassure international businesses following several high-profile commercial disputes, including ongoing arbitration and litigation involving the Kashagan oilfield.
The Prosecutor General's Office has also been given a larger role in supporting investment projects. The Prosecutor General now serves as Kazakhstan's Investment Ombudsman, while individual prosecutors have been assigned to oversee major investment projects and help resolve disputes.
Officials say Kazakhstan has signed nearly 50 international agreements on investment protection and is currently supporting more than 2,000 investors involved in over 250 projects.
To further streamline investment procedures, the government has launched the National Digital Investment Platform, a one-stop portal designed to simplify interactions between investors and government agencies. An investment headquarters chaired by senior officials has also been established to accelerate decision-making on strategically important projects.
Building the foundations of an AI economy
Alongside investment reforms, Kazakhstan is putting in place the regulatory framework needed to support its AI ambitions.
Parliament has recently adopted the Digital Code and legislation governing artificial intelligence, while the government has approved the Digital Kazakhstan Strategy to guide the country's technological development.
Oversight of AI policy now sits with a dedicated Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, while President Tokayev personally chairs the AI Development Council.
Officials hope the new regulatory framework will encourage further investment into Kazakhstan's emerging AI ecosystem, including the planned Data Centre Valley.
The country plans to develop a one-gigawatt AI data centre campus in the Zhambyl region with partners including Firebird, NVIDIA and Presight AI.
Kazakhstan is also laying a fibre-optic cable beneath the Caspian Sea to strengthen international connectivity, reduce latency and support the expansion of cloud services and AI infrastructure.
New AI cluster
Kazakhstan is taking another step towards building a large-scale AI ecosystem.
On the sidelines of the Foreign Investors' Council, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry signed a three-year memorandum with Citi and Freedom Holding Corp to explore financing models for a world-class AI cluster.
The project is expected to combine high-performance computing, cloud infrastructure, AI startups, research institutions and digital infrastructure into a single ecosystem capable of supporting government, businesses and researchers.
According to Deputy Prime Minister Zhaslan Madiyev, the agreement marks another milestone in Kazakhstan's ambition to become a regional AI hub.
"The cluster will become a hub for investment, talent and technology companies, while providing the infrastructure needed to support government, research and business," he said.
Officials say international financial partners will help connect Kazakhstan with global capital markets to finance large-scale AI infrastructure.
"We can leverage our global expertise and access to international capital to help position Kazakhstan as a leading AI hub," said Stephanie von Friedeburg, Managing Director and Global Head of the Public Sector at Citi.
Investors call for further reforms
Beyond infrastructure, investors are urging Kazakhstan to continue modernising its regulatory framework.
At this year's Foreign Investors' Council, working groups presented recommendations aimed at improving the investment climate and supporting the country's AI ambitions.
Among their priorities was modernising legislation governing cross-border data transfers. Investors say clearer rules would make it easier to use cloud services, develop AI applications and integrate Kazakhstan into global digital infrastructure. Draft amendments have already been prepared and are awaiting approval.
"The working groups presented a number of recommendations. Concrete steps will now be taken to implement those proposals and further improve the investment climate," said Erlan Dosymbekov, Chairman of the Kazakhstan Foreign Investors' Council Association.
According to Dosymbekov, Kazakhstan has intensified efforts to attract investment into digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence, although he said broader participation from international technology companies would strengthen the initiative.
One company already expanding its presence is Presight AI, which recently became a member of the Foreign Investors' Council.
"We are going to focus on artificial intelligence and digitalisation," said Thomas Pramotedham, Chief Executive Officer of Presight AI.
"Our shared vision is to help develop the Data Centre Valley and support the rollout of smart cities across Kazakhstan."
Officials say the country's abundant critical minerals, competitive energy resources, expanding digital infrastructure and strategic location between Europe and Asia position Kazakhstan to become more than a supplier of raw materials.
The longer-term ambition is to move further up the AI value chain by attracting investment into computing infrastructure, advanced technologies and AI-powered industries.