Kazakhstan is making a major move in the global AI infrastructure race after signing a $10 billion package of agreements with U.S.-based Firebird and technology giant NVIDIA.
The deal is centered on the development of Data Center Valley, a large-scale artificial intelligence computing project planned for Ekibastuz in Kazakhstan’s Pavlodar region. The initiative is designed to position Kazakhstan as a major digital infrastructure hub between Asia and Europe.
Kazakhstan Targets AI Infrastructure Leadership
The agreements were signed following high-level talks involving Kazakhstan Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, NVIDIA Vice President Rev Lebaredian, and Firebird co-founders Razmig Hovaghimian and Alexander Yesayan.
The project will focus on building advanced data centers, deploying high-performance computing systems, and attracting global technology partners to Kazakhstan’s emerging AI ecosystem.
Kazakhstan has placed artificial intelligence at the core of its national priorities. Moreover, Kazakhstan has declared 2026 as the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Its wider Digital Qazaqstan strategy encompasses ambitions to fast-track the deployment of AI, cloud infrastructure, and next-generation digital services.
NVIDIA’s 100,000 GPUs Might End Up in Data Center Valley
Part of the deal for Kazakhstan’s AI infrastructure includes plans to build a gigantic computing cluster. This cluster would be powered by up to 100,000 of NVIDIA’s most advanced GPUs, including the company’s GB300 and Vera Rubin technologies.
These GPUs are predicted to be used for large-scale AI workloads, cloud computing, generative AI development, scientific research and digital services for enterprises.
Officials say the Data Center Valley project could become one of the largest AI computing platforms in Central Eurasia if completed as planned.
Why Ekibastuz Matters
Ekibastuz was chosen because of its available land, energy resources, telecommunications infrastructure, and investment incentives. Kazakhstan officials say the project already has access to 300 megawatts of power capacity. Furthermore, there is the potential to expand in phases up to 1 gigawatt.
Energy availability is becoming one of the most important factors in the global AI race. Training and running advanced AI models requires enormous computing power. However, that computing power depends on reliable electricity, cooling, connectivity, and chip supply.
Kazakhstan hopes its energy resources and strategic location will give it an advantage as more countries compete to host AI data centers.
Firebird Labs Kazakhstan to Support AI Ecosystem
As part of the agreement, Firebird will help create Firebird Labs Kazakhstan at Alem.ai. The lab is anticipated to enhance the AI ecosystem, talent development and local innovation.
Firebird specializes in AI infrastructure, data center development, and high-performance computing. The company is also involved in similar AI infrastructure work in Armenia.
The Kazakhstan deal also includes a binding term sheet between Kazakhtelecom and Firebird covering the technical and organizational details of the Data Center Valley project.
Economic Impact: Jobs, Exports and Global Tech Investment
The Kazakh government expects the project will generate at least $3 billion in annual export revenue. Additionally, it will create high-skilled technology jobs and attract major international technology companies.
The country views AI infrastructure as a way to diversify its economy away from traditional natural resources. It also sees AI infrastructure as a provider of digital services to global clients.
Kazakhstan wants to sell its power capacity to provide AI computing services abroad, rather than just export raw energy or commodities.
NVIDIA’s Role in the Kazakhstan AI Infrastructure Deal
NVIDIA is expected to back the project with technology, design expertise and GPU-based infrastructure. The company’s hardware is used extensively across AI data centers and supercomputing systems worldwide.
The project has gained credibility with the involvement of NVIDIA. As a result, Kazakhstan seeks to compete with other countries making huge investments in AI computing capacity.
Execution, availability of power, cooling systems, network connectivity, financing and the ability to secure long-term customers for AI computing services will determine the project’s success.
Why This Matters for the Global AI Race
The Kazakhstan AI infrastructure deal is a window into how the AI boom is reshaping global investment priorities. Countries are no longer just competing for software talent or startup ecosystems. They are also competing for the physical infrastructure needed to power artificial intelligence.
To run AI data centers, you need to invest heavily in land, energy, chips, fiber networks and cooling. As demand for AI computing grows, countries with available energy and strategic geography could become increasingly important.
Kazakhstan is now positioning itself as one of those countries.
The Bottom Line
Kazakhstan’s $10 billion agreement with Firebird and NVIDIA is one of the country’s most ambitious technology investments to date. If realized as planned, Data Center Valley could transform Kazakhstan into a major AI computing hub in Eurasia.
The project also is part of a broader global trend. Artificial intelligence is increasingly an infrastructure race — not just a software race. Countries that can deliver energy, data centers, chips and connectivity may play a significant role in shaping the next phase of AI development.
