Kazakhstan is preparing to become a major provider of AI computing capacity. Following CEO Jensen Huang's October 23, 2026 visit to Astana, NVIDIA highlighted its cooperation with Kazakhtelecom and Firebird AI in expanding the country's computing infrastructure. The company outlined the partnership in a publication on its official Instagram account, drawing attention to new GPU deployments, the planned Data Center Valley project in Ekibastuz and opportunities for local AI developers, DKNews.kz reports.
One of the most significant developments is the planned expansion of computing infrastructure in Ekibastuz, where a large-scale data center cluster is being developed with a long-term power capacity target of up to 1 gigawatt.
The project is intended to position Kazakhstan not only as a consumer of artificial intelligence technologies but also as a supplier of high-performance computing services to international customers.
Jensen Huang visits Kazakhstan for the first time
On October 23, NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang made his first visit to Kazakhstan.
In Astana, he was introduced to the country's artificial intelligence ecosystem, met students and technology entrepreneurs, and learned about infrastructure projects designed to support AI development.
Following the visit, NVIDIA highlighted cooperation with Kazakhtelecom and Firebird AI, two companies involved in developing computing capacity based on NVIDIA technologies.
The announcement placed particular emphasis on Kazakhstan's infrastructure ambitions and the growing demand for powerful computing systems capable of training and running advanced AI models.
For the country, the visit provided an opportunity to present its energy resources, telecommunications infrastructure and emerging technology ecosystem to one of the world's leading AI hardware companies.
Data Center Valley in Ekibastuz targets 1 GW of capacity
One of the central projects discussed during the visit was Data Center Valley, a large-scale cluster of data centers planned for Ekibastuz.
The project envisages the phased development of infrastructure with a total potential power capacity of up to 1 GW.
According to the information presented, the entire 215 MW capacity of the first phase has already been reserved.
The first 50 MW data center is scheduled to begin operations in the second quarter of 2027.
These figures refer to different stages of the development programme. The 1 GW target represents the project's long-term potential, while 215 MW relates to the first phase and 50 MW to the initial planned facility.
The development of such a cluster would require substantial investment in electricity supply, cooling, telecommunications connectivity and specialized computing equipment.
Ekibastuz is being positioned as a location where Kazakhstan's energy capabilities can be combined with demand for AI computing services.
Bagdat Mussin presents the project to NVIDIA's CEO
Bagdat Mussin, Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakhtelecom, personally presented Data Center Valley to Jensen Huang.
The presentation focused on the project's infrastructure, energy advantages and potential to support high-performance computing for customers in Kazakhstan and abroad.
Mussin emphasized that national competitiveness in artificial intelligence increasingly depends on access to computing infrastructure.
His remarks underline Kazakhtelecom's strategy of expanding beyond traditional telecommunications services into the infrastructure required for advanced digital technologies.
Kazakhtelecom has deployed hundreds of NVIDIA GPUs
NVIDIA also reported that Kazakhtelecom has already deployed significant GPU capacity in Astana and Almaty.
The existing deployments include:
- 400 NVIDIA H200 GPUs deployed in Kazakhstan.
- 480 NVIDIA B300 GPUs deployed in Kazakhstan.
These graphics processing units are designed for demanding AI workloads, including model training, inference and high-performance computing applications.
The deployment of such equipment is important because access to modern GPUs is a key requirement for developing and operating advanced AI systems.
For Kazakhstani businesses, universities and research organizations, domestic computing infrastructure could reduce the need to rely exclusively on overseas providers, subject to commercial availability and service conditions.
More than 2,000 additional NVIDIA accelerators planned
The infrastructure expansion is expected to continue in 2027.
According to NVIDIA's announcement, Kazakhtelecom plans to deploy:
- More than 1,000 GPUs at Data Center Valley in Ekibastuz.
- More than 1,000 NVIDIA Vera Rubin accelerators in the Ekibastuz area.
The planned deployments represent an additional stage in Kazakhstan's development of AI computing capacity.
NVIDIA's Vera Rubin platform is associated with a new generation of AI computing infrastructure designed for increasingly demanding workloads.
The announcement describes future deployment plans rather than equipment that has already entered operation.
The actual commissioning schedule will depend on infrastructure readiness, equipment delivery and project implementation.
Firebird secures US export licence for 45,000 GPUs
Another major development concerns Firebird AI, which is working with Kazakhtelecom on infrastructure expansion in Kazakhstan.
According to NVIDIA, Firebird has received a United States export licence covering 45,000 NVIDIA Grace Blackwell GPUs for Kazakhstan.
The licence is a significant step towards supplying advanced computing hardware for the planned project.
However, an export licence does not mean that all 45,000 processors have already been delivered or installed.
The first phase of Firebird's project is being developed jointly with Kazakhtelecom at Data Center Valley.
Its commercial launch is scheduled for the third quarter of 2027.
The timetable is separate from the planned second-quarter launch of the first 50 MW data center within the wider Data Center Valley development.
Together, the projects indicate the scale of Kazakhstan's ambition to attract international AI infrastructure investment.
Firebird Labs Kazakhstan to support local AI startups
NVIDIA also announced plans by Firebird to establish Firebird Labs Kazakhstan.
The laboratory is intended to support domestic AI startups and researchers, including by providing access to computing resources.
For early-stage technology companies, access to advanced GPUs can be a major factor in their ability to develop and test AI products.
Training models, running experiments and deploying AI applications often require substantial computing resources that smaller businesses cannot easily finance independently.
A laboratory connected to large-scale infrastructure could therefore create opportunities for Kazakhstani developers to work with more demanding technologies.
However, the announcement does not specify the laboratory's opening date, the amount of computing capacity allocated to startups or the conditions under which companies will be able to use its services.
Why domestic AI computing capacity matters
Artificial intelligence infrastructure is becoming an increasingly important part of the global digital economy.
Advanced AI systems require specialized processors, high-speed networking, data storage and reliable electricity supplies.
Countries and companies with access to these resources can develop and deploy AI applications without depending entirely on external computing providers.
For Kazakhstan, the expansion of domestic infrastructure could create opportunities in several areas:
- Business: access to computing resources for developing and deploying commercial AI products.
- Science: additional infrastructure for computational research and complex modelling.
- Startups: opportunities to test and scale products requiring substantial GPU capacity.
- Industry: support for AI applications in engineering, manufacturing and infrastructure management.
- International services: the potential to provide computing capacity to customers outside Kazakhstan.
These opportunities will depend on the availability, pricing and performance of the infrastructure once the planned facilities are operational.
Kazakhstan seeks a place in the global AI infrastructure market
The partnership between Kazakhtelecom, Firebird AI and NVIDIA reflects a broader shift in Kazakhstan's digital development strategy.
Rather than concentrating solely on telecommunications networks and software adoption, the country is seeking to establish infrastructure capable of supporting large-scale artificial intelligence workloads.
Data Center Valley is central to that strategy because it combines planned power capacity with advanced computing hardware and the potential to serve international customers.
The project also illustrates the importance of coordination between domestic infrastructure operators and global technology suppliers.
For Kazakhtelecom, participation in AI computing infrastructure could open a new business segment alongside its established telecommunications activities.
For Kazakhstan's technology ecosystem, the longer-term significance will depend on whether the planned investments create accessible services for domestic companies and researchers, as well as demand from international customers.
2027 will be a key year for Kazakhstan's AI expansion
The next major milestones are scheduled for 2027.
The first 50 MW Data Center Valley facility is expected to launch in the second quarter, followed by the planned commercial launch of Firebird's first phase in the third quarter.
Additional NVIDIA GPU deployments and the proposed Firebird Labs Kazakhstan initiative are expected to support the broader expansion of the country's AI ecosystem.
At the same time, the difference between planned capacity, reserved infrastructure and operational computing resources remains important when assessing the project's progress.
Kazakhstan's ambition is clear: to become a provider of the computing power required by the global artificial intelligence industry.
The success of that strategy will ultimately depend on delivering the infrastructure, attracting customers and ensuring that local businesses and researchers can benefit from the new capabilities.
Previously, we reported on NVIDIA's plans to expand Kazakhstan's AI infrastructure following President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's October 1 meeting with NVIDIA Vice President Rev Lebaredian. Those discussions covered the development of Data Center Valley, existing NVIDIA-powered supercomputing clusters and cooperation on AI technologies. The latest announcements provide more detailed deployment figures and a clearer timetable for the next phase of Kazakhstan's computing infrastructure expansion.
