Kazakhstan just made one of the boldest AI plays in Eurasia. Freedom Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: FRHC) has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan to build a $2 billion Sovereign AI Hub, powered by NVIDIA’s exascale AI infrastructure.
The project, aimed at catapulting Kazakhstan—and the broader Central Asian region—into the front ranks of global AI development, positions Freedom Holding as the principal financier, operator, and technology integrator of the massive facility.
A Regional First in Sovereign AI
The hub, expected to be built on a site with 100 MW of available power, will be designed to host and operate large-scale sovereign AI systems, enabling Kazakhstan to develop and deploy its own models under national data governance.
This initiative aligns with the country’s new national AI strategy, which focuses on fostering data independence, digital infrastructure, and a local AI talent pipeline. The Ministry will spearhead training and talent development programs alongside Freedom Holding’s implementation efforts.
“Working with NVIDIA is an important step in implementing Kazakhstan’s national AI strategy,” said Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. “We are building the foundation of a sovereign AI ecosystem that will strengthen our economy, enhance competitiveness, and unlock new opportunities for the entire region.”
NVIDIA’s Exascale Footprint Expands East
While NVIDIA has partnered with nations like the UAE, Japan, and India on sovereign-scale infrastructure, this marks its first major AI collaboration in Central Asia. The use of exascale computing infrastructure—systems capable of performing a billion billion (10¹⁸) calculations per second—will give Kazakhstan’s AI hub the power to train large language models, simulate national-scale datasets, and support commercial and government AI workloads at scale.
For Freedom Holding Corp., the move is a strategic pivot deeper into AI infrastructure and digital development, expanding beyond its financial services roots. “By combining our expertise with NVIDIA’s technologies and the visionary support of the Ministry, we aim to build a robust foundation for AI innovation and drive long-term growth throughout the entire Central Asian region,” said Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding Corp.
Sovereign AI Goes Global
The deal underscores the rising wave of “sovereign AI” investments, as nations race to control their own data and model infrastructure rather than rely solely on U.S. or Chinese platforms. Recent moves by the EU, UAE, and Singapore show a similar drive to balance innovation with independence—Kazakhstan’s hub could make it a Central Asian anchor in that movement.
Analysts note that sovereign AI initiatives also serve as catalysts for regional tech ecosystems—drawing in data centers, semiconductor supply chains, and AI startups. For Kazakhstan, whose economy is rapidly diversifying beyond energy, the hub could signal a broader push into digital sovereignty and technology exports.
The Takeaway
If completed as planned, the Sovereign AI Hub will not only redefine Kazakhstan’s digital capabilities but also position Central Asia as a serious AI player—a move few might have predicted a decade ago.
For Freedom Holding Corp., it’s a declaration that the future of finance and technology in the region will be built not just on capital—but on compute.
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