Kazakhstan has received an invitation to join the World Bank’s global Digital Compact initiative, marking a major vote of confidence in the country’s rapidly expanding digital and artificial intelligence ambitions.

The proposal was made during talks between Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Sangbu Kim, the World Bank’s Vice President for Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence, The Caspian Post reports via Kazinform.

The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in digital transformation, AI development, GovTech solutions, telecommunications infrastructure, and the strategic Data Center Valley project.

Bektenov emphasized that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has set a clear goal of transforming Kazakhstan into a fully digital nation. With 2026 declared the Year of Digitalization and the national Digital Kazakhstan 2029 strategy now in place, the country is accelerating the deployment of AI technologies across the economy.

Kazakhstan’s progress has already earned international recognition. The country ranks among the world’s leading digital governments, placing sixth globally in the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index and securing a position in the top-tier Group A category.

Kim praised Kazakhstan’s achievements, highlighting its advanced mobile communications network, strong e-government platform, expanding data center ecosystem, rural connectivity projects, AI initiatives, and technology parks. He also pointed to the recent adoption of a new AI law as evidence of the country’s commitment to building a modern digital economy.

The proposed Digital Compact would align Kazakhstan’s national priorities with targeted reforms and investment projects supported by the World Bank. Key areas include digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, digital identity systems, AI ecosystem development, and workforce skills.

The invitation comes as Kazakhstan continues to attract major international technology investments. Earlier, the government signed a $10 billion package of AI-related agreements with Firebird and NVIDIA, underscoring the country’s ambition to become a regional leader in artificial intelligence and digital innovation.