In his New Year address, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made a clear statement: Kazakhstan is entering a new stage of modernization. The year 2026 has officially been declared the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, DKNews.kz reports.
This is not about slogans. It is about a systematic transformation of the economy, governance and social services.
Constitutional reform as the foundation
A forthcoming constitutional reform is expected to accelerate development and strengthen state institutions.
The logic is straightforward: build strong foundations first - then scale technology.
Strategic priorities: real sectors first
The government plans to focus on core industries:
- strengthening the energy sector
- addressing challenges in agriculture
- modernizing water management
- improving transport and logistics
- upgrading housing and utilities infrastructure
Digital tools are meant to make these sectors faster, smarter and more efficient.
SMEs in the spotlight
Small and medium-sized businesses will remain a top priority.
Across the regions:
- new enterprises will open
- roads will be repaired
- housing, schools, hospitals, sports and cultural facilities will be built
That means more jobs and stronger regional economies.
Digital state and AI as the next leap
Tokayev reiterated his goal of turning Kazakhstan into a digital state.
Now the decision is formal:
2026 will be the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence.
Technology will be rolled out across:
- the economy
- government services
- education
- healthcare
- everyday life
The broader goal: efficiency, transparency and global competitiveness.
Investing in the next generation
The National Fund for Children program will continue, with another round of payments for every child - a long-term investment in their future.
At the same time, the state will keep prioritizing:
- education
- healthcare
because digital transformation is impossible without people.
Put simply, the roadmap looks like this: institutions + infrastructure + technology + people = Kazakhstan’s next development model.
And 2026 will show how effectively the country can turn plans into real action.
