Network City: Where Kazakhstan plans to establish a new IT Hub

Kazakhstan is considering the establishment of an international technology hub, Network City, in the Burabay resort area. The project could become a new platform for IT professionals, entrepreneurs, and researchers from around the world, El.kz reports.

Why Burabay

The idea of creating Network City was discussed by PM Olzhas Bektenov and founder of the international community Network School Balaji Srinivasan. The parties considered opportunities for cooperation in AI development, talent training, and startup ecosystem support.

The Burabay is considered as the initial location for the project. The proposal envisages the development of a technology hub with modular infrastructure integrated into the natural landscape. At a later stage, the project is planned to be scaled to Alatau City.

What is Network City?

Network School brings together entrepreneurs, engineers, developers, and researchers who work on technology projects while simultaneously participating in educational programmes. The format includes training programmes, coworking spaces, conferences, hackathons, and acceleration programmes.

According to the initiative’s concept, Network City is intended to become a place where specialists can live, work, and launch new projects. Balaji Srinivasan highlighted Kazakhstan’s significant potential in the field of artificial intelligence and noted that similar projects are implemented through private investment without public funding.

How the project aligns with Kazakhstan’s digital strategy

The Government noted that attracting international expertise will help strengthen Kazakhstan’s position in the global technology market. Olzhas Bektenov emphasised that the new Constitution identifies the development of human capital, science, education, and innovation as strategic priorities of state policy.

Kazakhstan is already implementing several major digital initiatives. These include Astana Hub, the planned Data Centre Valley in Ekibastuz, and the International Centre for Artificial Intelligence Alem.ai, which hosts educational programmes such as TUMO and Tomorrow School. Following the meeting, relevant government authorities were instructed to provide support for the implementation of the Network City project.

Development of the resort area

Burabay has long been recognised as one of Kazakhstan’s most popular tourism destinations. The resort welcomes nearly one million visitors annually, and increasing tourist flows are creating additional pressure on natural ecosystems.

What changes are expected in Burabay

The development of the resort area has already been included in the Comprehensive Plan through the end of the decade. The document provides for the modernisation of tourism infrastructure, construction of new recreational facilities, expansion of transport networks, and the creation of a congress centre, wellness complexes, and year-round tourism destinations.

The emergence of Network City could complement this strategy with a new development direction. If implemented, the project would transform Burabay into a location where tourism infrastructure coexists with an international high-technology hub bringing together specialists, startups, and investors.