Kazakhstan has signed a $10 billion agreement with Firebird and NVIDIA to build one of Central Asia's largest AI computing hubs, as governments increasingly compete for the infrastructure needed to power artificial intelligence.
At the centre of the plans is the "Data Centre Valley" project, a large-scale computing cluster designed to support artificial intelligence systems, cloud services and high-performance computing. The project is expected to include 100,000 advanced GPU chips, including NVIDIA GB300 and Vera Rubin systems.
Under the agreement, Kazakhstan will finance construction and core infrastructure, while Firebird will supply server equipment and help attract major international technology companies.
The project will be implemented in phases. The first stage is expected to use more than 100 megawatts of power, with total capacity projected to reach 300 megawatts before expanding to one gigawatt.
According to Kazakhstan's government, the investment could generate at least $3 billion in annual export revenue, create jobs and attract international technology companies to the country.
The deal comes as countries increasingly compete for computing power, with data centres, energy access and advanced processors becoming strategic assets in the global AI race.
Demand for infrastructure capable of training and operating advanced AI systems continues to grow rapidly, prompting governments to invest heavily in high-performance computing capacity.
Firebird co-founder and chief executive Razmig Hovaghimian said Kazakhstan's ambitions became clear during the company's first visits to the country and linked the project to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's decision to declare 2026 the "Year of AI."
"Countries investing today in advanced AI computing power, talent development and innovation ecosystems will shape tomorrow's economic opportunities.
Firebird combines experience in deploying advanced U.S. technologies, strong partnerships across the global AI ecosystem and the ability to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects securely and at exceptional speed. The 2027 launch will place Kazakhstan among the world's top ten countries in this field," Hovaghimian said.
Kazakhtelecom chairman Bagdat Mussin said the project was designed with long-term capacity in mind and could help accelerate the use of artificial intelligence technologies within Kazakhstan.
"We are building infrastructure designed for decades ahead. The project will provide access to modern computing resources, accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies and create conditions to attract global technology players," Mussin said.
If completed at the planned scale, the project could strengthen Kazakhstan's ambitions to become a regional technology and computing hub for Eurasia.
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