ASTANA, Kazakhstan, February 28. The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a $92.43 million financing package for Kazakhstan Digital Acceleration for an Inclusive Economy (DARE) Project, Trend reports.
According to the WB, the project is set to provide high-quality and climate-resilient broadband access to selected underserved regions of Kazakhstan, with the goal of benefiting over one million people in rural areas.
As the WB noted, the DARE Project aims to tackle Kazakhstan's growing demand for strong digital infrastructure, highlighted by its heavy dependence on natural resources and recent socioeconomic difficulties. It is aligned with the objectives of the 2025 National Development Plan and the "Digital Kazakhstan" State Program, both of which emphasize innovation and digitalization as crucial components of the nation's long-term development strategy. This initiative endeavors to bridge the digital gap by ensuring that digital services are equally accessible in remote and rural areas as they are in urban centers.
“This project is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that every citizen of Kazakhstan can participate in the global digital economy. By providing high-quality broadband access to the underserved communities, we are laying the foundation for innovation, education, and economic growth,” said Andrei Mikhnev, World Bank Country Manager for Kazakhstan.
To incentivize private investment in infrastructure, the project will provide competitive matching grants for the deployment of backhaul and access broadband networks (the last mile) to reach households, businesses, and public institutions in designated areas.
The World Bank pointed out that the deployment of cutting-edge technology will extend broadband coverage, enhance internet speeds, and improve service quality. This will not only provide better connectivity for individuals and businesses but also bolster the growth of Kazakhstan's digital economy.