Central Asia’s largest Tier IV data center is under construction in Kazakhstan, with the first-phase launch scheduled for early next year. The project is being delivered by Akashi Data Center. CEO Vladislav Minkevich spoke to Kursiv about global industry trends and how data centers help Kazakhstan strengthen regional digital leadership.
The original brief
Akashi was originally conceptualized as an international project addressing business tasks for not only Kazakhstani but also regional and global players. The company creates a platform functioning as a technological ecosystem combining infrastructure, management, international standards, and human capital — a digital bridge between Central Asia and global networks.
Based on these objectives, the company selected today’s most reliable sector solution: Tier IV classification per Uptime Institute, guaranteeing operation despite systematic failures or maintenance work. The first phase targets 50 MW with 100 MW expansion possibilities. Over several years, 4,200 racks are planned — exceeding all regional operators combined. Investment returns ($210 million) are calculated within four years: “This is a good business.”
Restart and recovery
Project implementation encountered consequences from prior leadership. Multiple misuses and fund misdirection were identified, documented, and transferred to the Astana Police Department. Several individuals face pre-trial investigations.
“We are confident the collected materials suffice for the guilty parties receiving justice.” — Vladislav Minkevich
Stakeholder Timur Turlov (Freedom Holding Corp. founder) played a critical stabilization role, providing resources, stability, and the capability to focus on construction rather than addressing past consequences. This enabled experienced Kazakhstani specialist teams to form a new foundation in short timeframes, returning project dynamics.
After the “restart,” processes underwent complete reengineering rather than “patching holes”:
- Financial-flow restructuring — multiple payment-verification levels
- Contractor reform — compliance filtering, no informal schemes or fictitious services
- Project management — weekly sprints and public dashboards where teams view all schedules and real-time risks
Demand: 40% reserved before launch
Approximately 40% of capacity is reserved despite the first-phase launch timing in Q1 next year. Local players include the banking sector, IT companies, and telecommunications. Memorandums with China Mobile International and Virtuozzo are signed. 500+ worldwide companies have submitted interest letters — from cloud providers to AI startups.
Active negotiations continue with Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and other technology corporations. These companies value Kazakhstan’s offering: complete, reliable infrastructure rather than mere concepts.
What partners actually evaluate
Three factors drive partnership attraction:
- Trust. Major companies evaluate not only technology but also management. Recent months established transparent corporate-governance systems — implementing compliance, multi-level controls, and directional reporting.
- Predictability. Partners observe promise-fulfillment. Construction proceeds on schedule. The first module’s primary structures are complete; engineering systems and equipment installation are underway.
- Context. Kazakhstan has charted digitalization and AI development courses. Previously realized projects are globally recognized — particularly government-services digitalization. This country benchmark is objective fact.
The macro picture
Digitalization is among the highest-priority government tasks. Historically, an economy “flying” required railway networks; today — digital infrastructure. The 2024 global data center market was valued at $350 billion; by 2034 it will reach $1 trillion. For perspective: last year’s worldwide automobile market was valued at $2.5 trillion.
“Any AI story begins with infrastructure. Algorithms, models, large data — all require immense computational capacity. Without world-class data centers, AI remains theoretical.”
Energy and carbon
The project develops proprietary gas-electric generation reaching 1 GW capacity, ensuring independence, reducing interruption risk, and maintaining competitive energy cost. Simultaneously, the team is analyzing renewable-energy connection possibilities. The world pursues carbon neutrality, requiring a corresponding course. Akashi is originally designed as a low-carbon-footprint, high-energy-efficiency project.
The talent layer
Educational programs and university collaborations prepare local engineers and infrastructure-exploitation specialists. Young professionals practice on Tier IV-level facility sites, observing construction and operations meeting international standards. A new-generation engineering school forms domestically.
“Digital independence is the foundation of security and economic prosperity. Everyone benefits.”