Innovation and Digital Technologies
Almaty is the largest center of digital economy and technology entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan. The city forms the core of the country’s IT market, concentrating developers, startups, fintech companies, digital services, and R&D teams.
A high level of digitalization, a developed financial and business infrastructure, and a concentration of human capital make Almaty a key platform for innovation and the implementation of modern technologies. The “Information and Communication” sector is one of the fastest-growing industries in the city’s economy and contributes a significant share to the gross regional product.
Almaty attracts both local and international IT companies, serving as an entry point to the markets of Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and the EAEU.
ECONOMIC GROWTH DRIVER
Almaty’s digital sector is developing at an advanced pace, covering a wide range of areas — from software development and fintech to telecommunications, e-commerce, and smart city solutions.
The city has become a hub for:
- IT service and product companies,
- fintech and payment platforms,
- startups and technology teams,
- corporate and independent R&D centers,
- data, automation, and digital infrastructure companies.
The development of digital technologies contributes to increased productivity, service exports, and the creation of a high value-added economy.
FINTECH AND DIGITAL SERVICES
Fintech and e-commerce are among the fastest-growing segments of Almaty’s digital economy. The city acts as the country’s financial center and a key platform for the development of:
- digital payment solutions,
- online banking and financial platforms,
- marketplaces and e-commerce services,
- digital service solutions for businesses and the public.
A developed financial infrastructure and high digital service penetration create favorable conditions for launching and scaling fintech projects.
ECOSYSTEM AND TALENT
Almaty has the largest concentration of IT specialists and educational centers in the country. Leading universities, private programming schools, and corporate training centers operate in the city, ensuring a stable flow of qualified personnel.
The ecosystem includes:
- technoparks and IT hubs,
- startup accelerators and incubators,
- venture and corporate funds,
- coworking spaces and technology clusters.
This enables companies to launch projects, scale quickly, and integrate into international digital value chains.
PRIORITY INVESTMENT AREAS
Almaty is open to investments in the following segments:
- software development and SaaS platforms,
- fintech and digital financial solutions,
- data centers and digital infrastructure,
- artificial intelligence, Big Data, and analytics,
- Smart City and GovTech solutions,
- e-commerce and digital logistics,
- game development, AR/VR, and creative technologies.
The city offers opportunities both for establishing new technology companies and for hosting regional headquarters and R&D centers of international players.