AI Infrastructure Push: Kazakhstan signed $10bn in agreements with Firebird and Nvidia to build “Data Center Valley” in Ekibastuz, including large-scale data centers and a computing cluster aimed at making the country a regional AI hub. Digital Transport: The government also plans a unified digital database to manage the transport and logistics chain in real time by end-2026, with a centralized “data lake” for Kazakhstan Temir Zholy. Rail Expansion & Modernization: Transport plans target rail transit growth to 67m tons by 2030, alongside major railway modernization—station upgrades nationwide and broader freight corridor capacity. Middle Corridor Momentum: Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are leaning into the Middle Corridor via logistics cooperation, with industry groups pushing faster procedures and better coordination across the route. Nuclear Cooperation: Kazakhstan and China signed a protocol on peaceful atomic energy use, reinforcing civil nuclear collaboration. Energy & Industry Pipeline: A new hydrocarbon licensing round offers 30 subsoil plots for exploration, while railcar manufacturing ramps up with Stadler Kazakhstan and expanded freight and passenger carriage production. Trade Snapshot: Foreign trade reached $44.9bn in Jan–Apr 2026, with exports up and crude oil still dominating the export mix.