Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan

History

2025

Setting up 5 committees and giving the ministry new functions

On October 9, 2025, the regulation on the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan was approved. The agency provides leadership and intersectoral coordination in the fields of aerospace and electronics industry, scientific and technical development of the country, geodesy, cartography and spatial data, ensuring information security, etc.

From January 1, 2026, the ministry is endowed with a number of new functions. The agency, in particular, will be responsible for transferring data for analytics and risk assessment to the operator of the information and communication infrastructure of the "electronic government." The tasks of the ministry will include the approval of a list of priority activities in the field of information and communication technologies and criteria for its own production, as well as a list of goods whose imports are exempt from value added tax, and a list of products imported exclusively for use within the framework of priority activities in the ICT field (in agreement with the central authorized body for state planning).

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Фото: Unsplash

In addition, the ministry will set prices for goods (works, services) produced and (or) implemented by the state corporation "Government for Citizens" in agreement with the antimonopoly body and the authorized body in the field of ensuring tax revenues and other mandatory payments to the budget. Plus, the department will determine the procedure for applying tax preferences for participants in the Astana Hub technopark.

In accordance with the approved provision, the structure of the ministry includes the following units:

• Aerospace Committee;
• Information Security Committee;
• Telecommunications Committee;
• Public Services Committee;
• Artificial Intelligence and Data Management Committee.^[1]

Ministry of Digital Development of Kazakhstan transformed into the Ministry of AI and Digital Development

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the formation of the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development as part of the restructuring of the public administration system. The new department will be headed by one of the country's deputy prime ministers. The head of state announced this on September 8, 2025 during the announcement of the message to the people of Kazakhstan. The head of state decided:

Reorganize the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan by transforming it into the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the transfer of functions and powers for innovative activities to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

According to RBC, the decision to transform is associated with the need to integrate the republic into a new technological structure. Tokayev stressed the importance of radically transforming the entire system of public administration to achieve this goal.

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Фото: Unsplash

The President set the government the task of ensuring the total introduction of artificial intelligence technologies to modernize all sectors of the national economy. The new ministry will become the central body coordinating the processes of digital transformation of the public sector and private business.

Tokayev instructed to speed up the adoption of the Digital Code of Kazakhstan - a comprehensive legislative act designed to systematize legal norms in the digital sphere. The document should regulate the rights of citizens in the digital environment, the functioning of digital platforms and services, cybersecurity and personal data protection issues.

Earlier, a committee of artificial intelligence and innovation development was already created in the structure of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry. This body is responsible for the formation of state policy in the field of AI and creating the conditions for the development of relevant technologies in the country.

The creation of a separate ministry of artificial intelligence makes Kazakhstan one of the first countries in the region to allocate this direction to an independent sphere of public administration. The decision reflects the strategic priority of the authorities in the field of technological development and digitalization of the economy.^[2]

2024

Curator of state projects Big Data in Kazakhstan appointed Vice Minister of Digital Development of the country

In November 2024, Dmitry Moon was appointed Vice Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan. The corresponding government decree was signed. Read more here.

The departure of Askar Zhambakin from the post of Vice Minister of Digital Development of Kazakhstan

In mid-July 2024, Askar Zhambakin submitted his resignation from the post of Vice Minister of Digital Development of Kazakhstan. Zhambakin has held this position since November 2020. Read more here.

Appointment of Jaslan Madiev as Minister

In early May 2024, Zhaslan Madiev was appointed the new Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan. The corresponding decree was signed by the President of the Republic Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Read more here.

2022: Bagdat Musin - New Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan

On January 11, 2022, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree on the new composition of the government. Bagdat Mussin has been appointed Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace. Read more here.

2020

Appointment of Askar Zhambakin as Vice Minister of Digital Development of Kazakhstan

In November 2020, it was officially announced the appointment of Askar Zhambakin as Vice Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Read more here.

Askar Zhumagaliyev's resignation as Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan

On July 20, 2020, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed Askar Zhumagaliyev, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry. The reason for the resignation is not called. Read more here.

2019

Transformation into the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace

On June 17, 2019, by decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Digital Development, Defense and Aerospace Industry was transformed into the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, with the transfer to it of the functions and powers of the Ministry of Agriculture in the field of geodesy and cartography and the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development in the field of innovation, scientific and technical development of the country.

The Ministry of Information and Communications has been abolished. The Ministry of Digital Development, Defense and Aerospace Industry was established. Minister - Askar Zhumagaliyev

In 2017, Askar Zhumagaliev returned to the government, taking the post of deputy prime minister. Later, in addition to this post, he headed the Ministry of Defense and Aerospace Industry^[3], the Ministry of^[3].

In February 2019, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev signed a decree "On increasing the efficiency of public administration." In accordance with it, the Ministry of Information and Communications of the republic was abolished.

At the same time, the Ministry of Defense and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan is being transformed into the Ministry of Digital Development, Defense and Aerospace Industry. This department was transferred from the abolished Ministry of Information and Communications powers in the field of communications, informatization and electronic government. Askar Zhumagaliev became the Minister of Digital Development, Defense and Aerospace.

The functions in the field of information, which were also performed by the Ministry of Information and Communications, were transferred to another new ministry - information and public development. It was created on the basis of the Ministry of Public Development. The head of the abolished Ministry of Information and Communications Dauren Abaev was appointed Minister of Information and Public Development.

2016: Ministry of Information and Communications established. Minister - Dauren Abaev

In 2016, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev ordered the creation of the Ministry of Information and Communications, headed by Dauren Abayev, who previously held the post of press secretary of Nazarbayev.

2014: Ministry of Transport and Communications abolished, Communications and Information Agency established. Head - Askar Zhumagaliev

In 2014, the Ministry of Transport and Communications was abolished. The functions of managing the telecommunications industry passed to the newly created Communications and Information Agency, which was also headed by Askar Zhumagaliev.

On March 7, 2014, the President of Kazakhstan signed a Decree "On Further Improvement of the Public Administration System of the Republic of Kazakhstan."

In accordance with subparagraph 3) of Article 44 of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, I DECIDE:

1. To form the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Communications and Information as a central executive body that is not part of the Government, with the transfer of functions and powers to it:

1) in the field of communication, informatization, control over the automation of public services and coordination of the activities of public service centers from the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

2) in the field of information, archival businesses and documentation from the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

2. Reorganize the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan by transforming it into the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

3. The Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan shall ensure: 1) abolition: Committee of Information and Archives of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Communications and Informatization Committee of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Committee for Control of Automation of Public Services and Coordination of Activities of Public Service Centers of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Kazakhstan; 2) redistribution of the staff of state bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan specified in paragraph 1 of this Decree; 3) taking other necessary measures to implement this Decree.

4. Add to the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan of January 22 1999 No. 6 "On the Structure of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan" the following amendments and additions: in item 1: line: "Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan;" shall be amended as follows: "Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan;"; add the following line: "Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Communications and Information;."

5. Control over the implementation of this Decree shall be assigned to the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

6. This Decree is put into effect from the date of signing^[4].

On March 7, 2014, Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov introduced the new leaders to the teams of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Agency for Communications and Information. By a decree of the Government, Askar Zhumagaliev was appointed Chairman of the Agency for Communications and Information.

S. Akhmetov thanked A. Zhumagaliev for the work done as the head of the MTK and expressed confidence that "his professional qualities will help to quickly organize the work of the new government agency and solve the tasks set by the President of the country. Serik Akhmetov wished success to A. Zhumagaliev in solving the set tasks.

In April 2014, Saken Sarsenov, Altai Abibullaev and Dmitry Goloburda were appointed deputy chairmen of the Communications and Information Agency (ASI). The corresponding presentation to the team and the leadership of the republican media was held in Astana.

As of July 2014, the agency's subordinate organizations included:

• Zerde
• National Information Technologies NIT Kazakhstan
• International University of Information Technologies JSC
• JSC "NC" Kazsatnet "
• Foundation for the Development of Infocommunication Technologies of Kazakhstan

2012: Transformation into the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Zhumagaliev - Minister

In 2012, the Ministry of Communications and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan was transformed into the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The minister remained the same.

2010: Establishment of the Ministry of Communications and Information on the basis of AIS. Zhumagaliev - Minister

In 2010, the Agency for Informatization and Communications (AIS) was abolished by decree of the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. On its basis, the Ministry of Communications and Information was created. The head of AIS Yesekeev headed Kazakhtelecom, and Askar Zhumagaliev, who previously served as president of Kazakhtelecom, was appointed Minister of Communications and Information.

2007: Establishment of the Ministry of Transport and Communications

According to the Regulation on the Ministry as amended by the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated December 6, 2007 No. 1193:

The Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the central executive body of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which provides leadership in the field of:

• of transport,
• communications,
• communications,
• informatization,
• control over the informatization of public services and coordination of the activities of public service centers, as well as within the limits provided for by law, - inter-sectoral coordination.

The ministry has departments:

• Highway Committee,
• Civil Aviation Committee,
• Committee of Transport and Railways,
• Transport Control Committee,
• Communications and Informatization Committee,
• Committee for the Control of Automation of Public Services and Coordination of the Activities of Public Service Centers.

2006-2010: Kuanyshbek Yesekeev - head of the agency

From October 2006 to February 2007, Kuanyshbek Esekeev served as chairman of the AIS of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

From February 2007 to March 2010 he was chairman of the agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for informatization and communications.

2004: Kuanyshbek Esekeev - Deputy Chairman of AIS

On May 13, 2004, 34-year-old candidate of mathematical sciences Kuanyshbek Esekeev was appointed deputy chairman of the agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for informatization and communications.

2003: Agency for Informatization and Communications established

In 2003, the Agency for Informatization and Communications was established in Kazakhstan. Askar Zhumagaliev deputy head.