Central Asia is attracting global attention from data center companies as a destination for digital infrastructure investment. While Kazakhstan just signed multi-billion worth of agreements with Firebird and NVIDIA to develop its Data Center Valley project and national AI computing capacity, Uzbekistan’s Beeline and DataVolt have signed agreements to expand AI-ready data center infrastructure in Tashkent and explore a new facility in Bukhara.
Together, these developments reflect a broader regional push to build the computing, cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure needed to support digital transformation and position Central Asia as a larger player in the global digital economy.
Kazakhstan plans AI and digital transformation roadmap
The ‘Data Center Valley’ project in Kazakhstan is designed to scale from an initial 300 MW of available power capacity to as much as 1 GW. The initiative is expected to attract US$ 10 billion in investment and support the deployment of a computing cluster powered by 100,000 advanced GPU chips, including NVIDIA GB300 and Vera Rubin systems. Officials estimate the project could generate at least US$ 3 billion in annual export revenue while supporting the development of cloud services, AI applications, scientific research and technology startups.
According to a Government press release, Kazakhstan’s latest move centers on plans to build large-scale AI infrastructure through a partnership involving U.S.-based AI infrastructure company Firebird and NVIDIA. The agreements were discussed during a meeting between Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, NVIDIA Vice President Rev Lebaredian, Firebird executives Razmig Hovaghimian and Alexander Yesayan, and senior government and industry officials.
Kazakhstan has designated 2026 as the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence and recently adopted the Digital Qazaqstan National Strategy for Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence Development.
“This week, Kazakhstan adopted the ‘Digital Qazaqstan’ National Strategy for Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence Development. One of the flagship projects currently being implemented is the Data Center Valley in Ekibastuz. Our goal is to create a platform capable of hosting global digital infrastructure,” said Olzhas Bektenov, Prime Minister, Kazakhstan.
Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, commented, “The planned US$ 10 billion investment will enable Kazakhstan to establish a large-scale computing cluster powered by 100,000 state-of-the-art GPU chips, including NVIDIA GB300 and Vera Rubin. According to our estimates, the project will generate at least US$ 3 billion in annual export revenue.”
Firebird Co-Founder and CEO Razmig Hovaghimian, said, “When we first visited Kazakhstan, it quickly became clear to us that the country’s ambition, expertise, and talent are truly world-class”.
“Countries that invest today in advanced AI computing infrastructure, talent development, and innovation ecosystems,” said Rev Lebaredin, Vice President, NVIDIA. “The launch planned for 2027 will place Kazakhstan among the world’s top ten countries in AI infrastructure.”
A key element of the strategy is the Data Center Valley project in Ekibastuz, which the government aims to develop into a platform capable of hosting global digital infrastructure. Officials highlighted the project’s large land reserve, investment incentives, competitive electricity costs and scalability as major advantages for attracting international investors.
NVIDIA highlighted Kazakhstan’s energy resources as a key advantage for large-scale AI infrastructure deployment. The company noted that energy availability is the foundation for AI infrastructure development and argued that Kazakhstan’s resource base gives it the potential to participate across the AI value chain, from foundational infrastructure to industry-specific applications.
The agreements signed following the meeting include a strategic cooperation framework between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development and Firebird, as well as a term sheet between Kazakhtelecom and Firebird covering technical and organizational cooperation on the Data Center Valley project. The agreements also provide for the establishment of Firebird Labs Kazakhstan at Alem.ai and are intended to support the next phase of development for AI, cloud computing and digital services infrastructure.
DataVolt makes its foray into Uzbekistan
Meanwhile in Uzbekistan, telecommunications operator Beeline Uzbekistan and data center developer DataVolt have signed two memorandums of understanding aimed at expanding domestic computing infrastructure. The agreements were announced during the Tashkent International Investment Forum and align with the country’s Digital Uzbekistan–2030 Strategy.
Under the first agreement, Beeline Uzbekistan will become one of the first and largest tenants of DataVolt’s TAS-1 facility at Tashkent IT Park, securing access to a significant share of the data center’s capacity. A second agreement will see the companies explore cooperation on a potential data center project in Bukhara, adding further capacity to support cloud services, AI applications and local data processing as detailed in a company press release.
The partnership reflects growing demand in Uzbekistan for computing capacity, cloud services and AI-based applications. Both companies said the projects are intended to strengthen domestic data storage and processing capabilities while supporting the country’s efforts to attract digital investment and expand its technology sector.
Rajit Nanda, CEO, DataVolt, said, “The signing of the memorandums reflects the maturing of the Uzbek market to a stage of active data infrastructure capacity building. The consolidation of international expertise and investment from companies such as DataVolt, will support the accelerated growth of the data center segment and the strengthening of the country’s position as a regional hub of digital services in line with the “Digital Uzbekistan–2030 Strategy”.
Beeline described sovereign data storage and processing as important for improving customer experience, resilience and security while retaining more economic value within Uzbekistan. The partnership with DataVolt would help establish the foundations for the country to become a digital hub for Central Asia and a destination for future digital investment.
DataVolt said the agreement marks a significant step in its Uzbekistan operations and will combine the company’s AI-ready infrastructure with Beeline’s cloud and connectivity services. The companies said the collaboration is intended to accelerate Uzbekistan’s digital transformation, expand access to cloud and AI services, and strengthen the country’s position as a regional center for digital services.
The Tashkent IT Park facility is expected to be one of Central Asia’s largest AI-ready data centers. Scheduled to open in December 2026, the facility will provide 12 MW of IT capacity with Tier-3 uptime, carrier-neutral connectivity and infrastructure designed for high-density cloud and AI workloads. DataVolt has also said it aims to power the facility with green electricity as part of its broader sustainability strategy.