VLADISLAV, YOU POSITION YOUR DATA CENTER AS A REGIONAL “BIG DATA” CLUSTER. IS THIS A STRATEGIC CHOICE?

— Akashi was originally conceived as an international project designed to serve the business needs not only of Kazakhstani companies, but also of regional and global players. In this sense, we are creating a platform that is meant to become a digital bridge between Central Asia and the global network. This is not just an engineering facility or a collection of servers. It is a full-fledged technological ecosystem that brings together infrastructure, governance, international standards, and human capital.

Based on these objectives, we chose the most reliable solution currently available in the industry. A Tier IV data center, according to the Uptime Institute classification, means it will continue operating even in the event of a systemic failure or during maintenance work. At the first stage, the project is designed for 50 MW of capacity, with the option to scale up to 100 MW. Over the next few years, we plan to deploy a total of 4,200 racks — more than all operators in the region currently have combined. According to our estimates, the investment of $210 million can be recouped within four years. This is a good business.

Despite the fact that the project started slightly later than initially planned, we have managed to maintain momentum and the overall construction schedule. Today, the project is in an active construction phase: the buildings have been erected, and engineering systems and power infrastructure are being installed.

WHAT CAUSED THE SCHEDULE SHIFT?

— Overall, yes. We promptly revised our management approaches, updated the financial strategy, and introduced multi-level controls. This allowed us not only to compensate for the lost time, but also to return to a schedule that today fully соответствует the original plan.

Our shareholder, founder of Freedom Holding Corp. Timur Turlov, played an important role in stabilizing the project. His involvement provided resources, ensured stability, and allowed us to focus on construction rather than dealing with the consequences of the past. As a result, a new team of experienced Kazakhstani professionals was formed, who in a short time put effective processes in place and restored the project’s momentum.

SO THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED RELATIVELY QUICKLY?

— Overall, yes. We promptly revised our management approaches, updated the financial strategy, and introduced multi-level controls. This allowed us not only to compensate for the lost time, but also to return to a schedule that today fully соответствует the original plan.

Our shareholder, founder of Freedom Holding Corp. Timur Turlov, played an important role in stabilizing the project. His involvement provided resources, ensured stability, and allowed us to focus on construction rather than dealing with the consequences of the past. As a result, a new team of experienced Kazakhstani professionals was formed, who in a short time put effective processes in place and restored the project’s momentum.

WHAT ELSE CHANGED AFTER THE PROJECT “RELAUNCH”?

— We did not try to “patch holes.” Instead, we carried out a full process reengineering — a complete rethinking of the management system.

First, we fully rebuilt the financial framework: every payment now goes through several levels of verification.

Second, we reformed our work with contractors: all contracts are subject to compliance screening, and informal arrangements and fictitious services have been eliminated.

Third, we changed the overall project management approach: we introduced weekly sprints and public dashboards where the team can see all timelines and risks in real time.

Yes, this is stricter than before, but it is precisely this level of transparency that restored partners’ trust and made it possible to restart construction.

AND DO YOU ALREADY HAVE CLIENTS?

— Yes. Given that we are launching the first phase in the first quarter of next year, around 40% of our capacity has already been reserved. This includes local players — the banking sector, IT companies, telecom operators, and others. In addition, memorandums of cooperation have already been signed with China Mobile International and Virtuozzo, and we have received more than 500 expressions of interest from companies around the world — ranging from cloud providers to AI startups.

We are also in active negotiations with Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and a number of other technology corporations. For them, it is important that Kazakhstan offers not just a concept, but ready, reliable infrastructure.

WHAT WAS THE KEY FACTOR THAT ATTRACTED SUCH PARTNERS?

— First and foremost, trust. Any major company evaluates not only the technology, but also how the project is managed. Over the past few months, we have built a corporate governance system based on transparency principles: we implemented compliance procedures, multi-level controls, and structured reporting across key areas.

Second, predictability. Partners see that we deliver on our commitments. Construction is progressing according to schedule, and this is the key indicator. The main structures of the first module have already been completed, engineering systems are being installed, and preparations for equipment deployment are underway.

And, once again, the broader context matters. Kazakhstan has set a clear course toward digitalization and the development of artificial intelligence. Projects already implemented in this area are well known globally — first and foremost, the digitalization of government services. This is undoubtedly a national benchmark. Moreover, in terms of ecosystem building, Kazakhstan is currently among the global leaders. That is an objective fact.

AT THE STATE LEVEL, A GREAT DEAL OF ATTENTION IS BEING PAID TO THIS

Yes, digitalization is one of the top national priorities. In the past, railways were built to make an economy take off; today, it is digital infrastructure, and this is a global trend. If the global data center market was valued at $350 billion in 2024, it is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2034. For comparison, the entire global automotive market was valued at $2.5 trillion last year. In this context, Kazakhstan — where the digitalization of the economy has de facto become a strategic national objective — is moving in step with leading economies and, in some areas, even ahead of them. This is not just at the level of declarations: the state provides maximum support for business initiatives in this direction and actively assists the industry. We are in constant contact with the relevant ministries, which have a very high level of expertise and competence in this field. Without government support for the sector, it would have been difficult for Kazakhstan to achieve its current leadership position.

THIS IS ALSO A GOOD PLACE TO MENTION THE OBJECTIVES OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DEVELOPMENT. ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THIS AGENDA AS WELL?

— Any story about artificial intelligence begins with infrastructure. Algorithms, models, and big data all require enormous computing power. Without world-class data centers, AI would remain a theory.

This is exactly the foundation we are providing for both the state and businesses. We are creating conditions that allow companies to train models, deploy AI platforms, and store data within the country — securely and with guaranteed stability. This is not just a technological project; it is a step toward making Kazakhstan a regional hub for digital and AI services.

IN ADDITION TO THE DATA CENTER ITSELF, ARE YOU ALSO DEVELOPING SUPPORTING ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE?

— A data center cannot be separated from energy infrastructure. It is a living system that depends on stable power supply and efficiency. We are developing a project for our own gas-fired power plant with a capacity of up to 1 GW. This will ensure independence, reduce the risk of outages, and allow us to maintain competitive energy costs.

At the same time, we are analyzing opportunities to integrate renewable energy sources. The world is moving toward carbon neutrality, and we must be prepared for that. Akashi was designed from the outset as a project with a low carbon footprint and high energy efficiency.

WHERE DO YOU FIND SPECIALISTS FOR A PROJECT OF THIS SCALE?

— The key is to create opportunities within the country. We are initiating educational programs and partnering with universities to train local engineers and infrastructure operations specialists. Young professionals complete internships at the site, observe how a Tier IV facility is built and operated, and become familiar with international standards. This is how a new generation of engineering expertise is formed — and it stays in the country.

In addition, we see the significant efforts the state is currently making to train professionals in these fields. Universities are already opening new programs focused on developing talent for the digital economy. The President has announced the need to establish a specialized university dedicated to artificial intelligence and related disciplines. This means that at all levels there is a clear understanding that the foundation for future generations is being laid right now — and, most importantly, based on domestic resources. Digital independence is not only a matter of national security and the future of the state, but also the basis for economic prosperity. Everyone stands to benefit from this.

According to research firm Arizton, the Central Asian data center market is expected to grow from $65 million in 2022 to $179.7 million by 2028, representing a compound annual growth rate of around 18.5%. At the same time, investors are developing infrastructure unevenly, which is already creating local capacity shortages. According to IKS-Consulting, commercial data centers in Kazakhstan had 3,775 racks by the end of 2024 (approximately 9% year-on-year growth), compared to 3,463 racks in 2023. Demand for colocation services continues to outpace the commissioning of new capacity. The Uptime Institute notes that global growth in digital workloads and the shift toward AI infrastructure are increasing pressure on power grids, engineering resources, and the labor market.

Global players, including Asian and Middle Eastern companies, are increasingly diversifying the placement of their computing capacity. For them, Kazakhstan is emerging as a natural location — geographically proximate, energy-resilient, and open from a regulatory standpoint.

“We see the region’s rapidly growing need for computing capacity to support its digital development,” says Vladislav Minkevich, CEO of Akashi Data Center. “That is why we are creating a foundation for the digital economy of the future. Akashi is infrastructure that will deliver reliability, energy capacity, and predictability for business, government, and international companies.”

The Akashi Data Center project — a Tier IV facility (Uptime Institute certification) designed for 100 MW of power and 4,200 racks — is intended to serve both Kazakhstan’s domestic demand and the needs of neighboring markets, the company notes.

“A 500-rack facility can no longer meet the needs of either Kazakhstan or international players. We are building with excess capacity,” Minkevich notes. “Today, it is important to think not only about where to store data, but also about how to ensure sustainable power, cooling, and availability for artificial intelligence workloads.”

The project has already attracted interest from leading global companies, including Microsoft, Amazon, Google, China Mobile International, and Virtuozzo. More than 500 technology companies have submitted inquiries regarding potential cooperation.

Akashi’s key differentiator is its energy autonomy: alongside the construction of the data center, a proprietary gas-fired power plant with a capacity of up to 1 GW is being developed, ensuring low energy costs and resilience during peak loads.

Neighboring countries are also beginning to scale up capacity. In Azerbaijan, AzInTelecom is developing a government cloud and building new data centers with support from the European Investment Bank; in Uzbekistan, a memorandum has been signed for a 300 MW project involving Linkwise.

The development of such facilities aligns with national priorities. In his most recent address, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the need to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence. The country has already established a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, which will support a systematic approach to addressing these objectives.

Joint collaboration with the industry association, which brings together prominent players such as QazCloud, Kazteleport, and Yandex Cloud, will help create an ecosystem that is attractive to international technology companies.

“Our participation in the Association will strengthen the country’s position as an AI hub ready to provide world-class services and infrastructure — with the advantages of local expertise, reliable energy supply, and a favorable regulatory environment,” said Vladislav Minkevich, CEO of Akashi Data Center, commenting on the company’s entry into the industry alliance. Undoubtedly, Akashi Data Center’s involvement in the association that shapes industry standards will further reinforce Kazakhstan’s position as the digital hub of Central Asia.

The Akashi project, scheduled for launch in 2027, will become a catalyst for the industry due to its scale and technical standards. The data center under construction in Astana is designed for more than 4,000 racks with total power capacity of up to 100 MW. Once operational, it will effectively double the current volume of commercial data centers in Kazakhstan. According to analysts at iKS-Consulting, the total size of Kazakhstan’s commercial data center market was estimated at nearly 3,800 racks as of the end of 2024.

The implementation of Akashi at the declared Tier IV level — the highest standard of reliability, fault tolerance, and availability according to the Uptime Institute — will fundamentally reshape the industry landscape. Today, Tier III represents the highest reliability standard among operating data centers in Kazakhstan. Moreover, only six facilities in the country hold certifications for a constructed facility, and just one data center has confirmed compliance with the level of operational sustainability.

A Tier IV–class data center (with Akashi becoming the first such facility in Kazakhstan and, in effect, across all of Central Asia) will set a new, highest possible standard for servicing mission-critical systems. The facility guarantees 99.995% availability (no more than 26 minutes of downtime per year) and full fault tolerance.

For Kazakhstan’s data center industry, this means the emergence of a player capable of serving hyperscalers — the world’s largest technology companies such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud — as well as providing infrastructure for AI computing, which requires high–power-density racks. With the introduction of a Tier IV–level data center, the industry will shift toward a model focused on attracting international traffic and global hyperscalers, and Kazakhstan will finally transform into a digital transit hub — a goal long pursued by the country’s government. As of the end of 2025, local data centers still serve only domestic demand.

POTENTIAL CLIENTS

The list of interested parties includes not only Kazakhstani companies, but also international players from China and the United States — the driving forces of the global IT industry. According to Akashi, the company is currently working with 41 potential clients, and preliminary agreements have already been signed with several technology corporations operating in the CDN (content delivery networks), cloud solutions, and artificial intelligence sectors.

“The fact that international companies are reserving capacity even before the facility is launched confirms the high level of trust in the project and Kazakhstan’s potential as a regional hub for computing power. Akashi is creating infrastructure ready to meet the requirements of world-class cloud and AI workloads,” says Vladislav Minkevich, CEO of Akashi Data Center.

AKASHI ON THE CENTRAL ASIA DATA CENTER MAP

The project, designed for a total capacity of 4,200 racks (up to 100 MW), will be launched in stages. The first phase is scheduled to go live by the end of next year, with a capacity of 50 MW. Ultimately, Akashi’s final capacity will exceed the combined volume of all commercial data centers currently operating in Kazakhstan.

Akashi Data Center is designed and being built to Tier IV standards, which guarantee maximum fault tolerance (allowable downtime of no more than 26 minutes per year). Reliability ratings for data centers are assigned by the Uptime Institute, the leading organization in the global data center industry. Its specialists have certified more than 3,500 data centers in over 118 countries worldwide. The Uptime Institute’s rating scale is ascending: Tier I represents the lowest level of performance (with the highest expected downtime), while Tier IV is the most reliable, operating with virtually no downtime.

The current Uptime Institute database contains information on 15 certified data centers operating in Central Asian countries. All of these facilities meet the Tier III reliability standard. Of these, ten data centers are located in Kazakhstan, two in Uzbekistan, two in Kyrgyzstan, and one in Tajikistan. It is also important to note that across the entire region, only seven data centers hold a certification for a constructed facility confirming readiness for real operational failures (six of them are located in Kazakhstan). However, only one project in Central Asia has confirmed compliance with the highest level of operational sustainability.

GROWING COMPETITION AMONG DATA CENTERS

The implementation of the Akashi project is of critical importance in Kazakhstan’s regional competition for technological leadership. The country’s strategic objective is to assume a key role in the international transit of internet traffic by creating an alternative route between Europe and Asia.

This status is being challenged by Uzbekistan, whose government announced its IT industry development strategy at the end of October. In the Nukus technopark, residents implementing digital infrastructure projects worth over $100 million will receive significant incentives, including electricity priced at 5 cents per kilowatt-hour and exemptions from import duties.

Amid intensifying competition between the two countries, Akashi — with its Tier IV standard and readiness for AI workloads (which require high energy capacity and rack density) — will provide Kazakhstan with a crucial competitive advantage. With such digital infrastructure, the country will demonstrate its readiness to offer global players large-scale computing capacity and the highest level of reliability.

NATURAL SHORTAGE

The global market already faces a systemic shortage. Data center capacity is often reserved 12–18 months before commissioning. For example, in Singapore, Japan, Germany, and some U.S. locations, rack space is booked even before construction begins.

This shortage is exacerbated by the growth of AI workloads. Generative AI models require a different category of engineering infrastructure with high power consumption per rack and powerful cooling. Facilities capable of servicing next-generation computing are insufficient worldwide. According to forecasts, around $5 trillion will be invested in data centers over the next five years, and global data center capacity will grow to at least 122 gigawatts by 2030.

This reservation trend is also seen in Kazakhstan. “In Kazakhstan, it may even be stronger than in mature markets,” says Vladislav Minkevich, CEO of Akashi Data Center. “We see it from our own experience: our data center was being reserved even at the foundation stage. Companies act quickly and pragmatically because they understand — if they hesitate, there won’t be free racks.”

The first module of Akashi Data Center, scheduled to launch next year, is already 61% reserved of its planned capacity.

STANDARTS AND GEOGRAPHY

Demand for data center services is driven by the accelerated digitalization of Kazakhstan. Fintech, government services, telecom, e-commerce, streaming, and early AI teams are generating increasingly large and sensitive volumes of data. However, the infrastructure capable of supporting this growth is developing more slowly. According to market participants, the approximately 3,800 racks currently available no longer cover existing digital traffic, let alone future workloads.

“Kazakhstan has outgrown the capacity we previously had,” says Minkevich. “Data volumes are growing faster than the market can build. And if we fail to create next-generation infrastructure, tomorrow we will import computing power in the same way energy-dependent countries import electricity.”

Data centers are no longer a supplement to digital services but the foundation without which financial transactions, cloud services, AI platforms, and IT development are impossible. Data availability, processing speed, and resilience to failures all critically depend on local infrastructure.

“We live in interesting times when access to information can easily be restricted. That is why it is important to have our own data centers in order to maintain the operation of digital services independently of external factors — this is digital autonomy,” Minkevich says.

Notably, demand for Akashi’s capacity goes beyond the domestic market. Among the companies that have reserved capacity are technology players from China and the United States that require sites for cloud, CDN, and AI workloads. “When international clients secure capacity in advance, it signals two things: trust in the project and the fact that Kazakhstan is becoming a real destination on the international data center market for hosting high-load infrastructure,” Minkevich notes.

The new type of demand driven by AI and high-density computing requires a fundamentally different engineering architecture than that of traditional data centers. The Akashi Data Center project is being developed for this new technological cycle: it features Tier IV fault tolerance, power capacity of up to 100 MW, thousands of racks, and engineering systems adapted for AI workloads.

“We are building not for yesterday, but for tomorrow. For the industry to grow, the country needs excess capacity. Shortages have never developed a digital economy, and I would like to remind that Kazakhstan was the first country in Central Asia to adopt an artificial intelligence law,” Minkevich emphasizes.

There are currently no Tier IV data centers in Central Asia. This fact, combined with Kazakhstan’s unique geography, attracts international clients to the Akashi project. The country holds a strategic advantage, being located between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia — three of the world’s largest consumers of cloud services. For global technology companies, this positioning is strategic, as it allows them to build a transit hub and optimize latency. In this context, Akashi Data Center is the first project laying the foundation for the creation of a digital transit hub in Kazakhstan.

A BENCHMARK DATA CENTER

Achieving the highest level of data center fault tolerance requires substantial energy consumption for engineering systems, as the Tier IV architecture mandates full duplication of all primary and auxiliary systems. As a result, energy supply becomes a key prerequisite for launching such a facility.

Kazakhstan’s energy capacity is limited. Although the country plans to build a nuclear power plant to create additional reserves, waiting for its commissioning risks missing several waves of technological growth.

“If we wait until new large-scale generation capacity appears in the country, we will simply miss the moment. The world will not stop, nor will the growth of the AI industry. That is why we are considering building our own gas-based power generation for Akashi’s needs, with the potential for further scaling. This is not just a backup solution, but a way to develop infrastructure without relying on external capacity,” Minkevich explains.

Such decisions are setting new industry standards: large data centers are no longer merely net energy consumers. They are no longer classic IT facilities, but comprehensive industrial projects that influence the energy sector, telecommunications, engineering services, and adjacent industries.

“Kazakhstan can become the point from which cloud services operate across the entire region. This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity. The main thing is not to miss it,” Minkevich concludes.

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