Kazakhstan and Afghanistan; Mutual Interest in the Digital Age

Kazakhstan is interested in sustainable development, economic stability and security in Central Asia. Its cooperation with Afghanistan is based on equality, mutual respect and in line with the interests of the peoples of both countries and the consolidation of peace and security in the region. Kazakhstan supports the efforts of the Afghan leadership to strengthen the country's authority, develop its economy and improve the living standards of its citizens.

 

Kazakhstan regularly provides humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan. Tens of thousands of tons of food, including Kazakh flour, are sent to Afghanistan annually. In October 2023, after an earthquake struck Herat Province, Kazakhstan dispatched an emergency rescue team of 45 people from its Ministry of Emergency Situations to the scene. In addition, more than 1,600 tons of humanitarian aid, including food, tents, clothing, blankets and bedding, were sent to Afghanistan.

In April 2024, 25 wagons carrying Kazakh humanitarian aid, including flour, oil and condensed milk (Melaco), arrived in Afghanistan at the Hairtan railway station in Afghanistan.

 

Kazakhstan supports the development of education and training in Afghanistan. Based on the agreements of 2009 and 2018, Afghan students study at bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels at Kazakh universities on scholarships. 30 Afghan students are scheduled to receive these scholarships in 2025.

 

In 2024, the trade volume between Kazakhstan and Afghanistan reached about half a billion dollars. Kazakhstan is one of Afghanistan's key trading partners. Since August 2021, trade and economic relations between the two countries have expanded and diversified with new momentum and impetus.

For example, we can mention mutual meetings of high-ranking officials, holding business forums and product exhibitions in Astana, Almaty and Kabul. Also, a roadmap has been signed to increase trade turnover between the two countries to $ 3 billion.

This cooperation covers areas such as industry, banking, mining and metallurgy, humanitarian and social affairs, energy, transport and logistics, digitalization, tourism and other sectors.

 

In December 2024, a Kazakh delegation headed by the Deputy Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan visited Kabul and met with a number of Afghan ministers. In the course of the negotiations, the parties emphasized the practical implementation of previously concluded agreements.

The removal of the Islamic Emirate from the list of banned organizations was an important step in strengthening bilateral relations. Kazakhstan was the first country in the region to remove the Taliban from the list of banned groups and to approve Afghan diplomats, creating a general trend for closer ties with Afghanistan. This move opened up new prospects for further cooperation.

Afghanistan received special attention at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called on the organization’s members to support the initiative to establish a UN regional center for the Sustainable Development Goals in Central Asia and Afghanistan.

 

Digitalization is emerging as a key factor in the competitiveness of countries and regions. According to the United Nations report “E-Government Review: e-Government for People 2024”, Afghanistan needs to develop its information technology sector to reduce the digital divide.

Currently, Afghanistan is among the countries with the lowest ranking in the world in terms of information technology development. Due to the lack of infrastructure to create a digital environment, Afghanistan is forced to rely on imported technologies. However, the country’s choice of technology suppliers is limited, as many countries do not recognize the current Afghan caretaker government, and some consider cooperation with the country risky. Kazakhstan, on the contrary, does not face such obstacles.

In addition, the existing cooperation between the two countries has created favorable conditions for cooperation in the field of information technology. Therefore, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan have the potential to expand mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen ties in various fields, and open up new prospects for partnership.

The international community recognizes that Kazakhstan is at the forefront of digital transformation, with continuous investments in digital infrastructure and the implementation of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT). In the UN ranking of the level of e-government development, Kazakhstan is in 24th place.

Kazakhstan’s IT specialists produce digital products that successfully compete in international markets. The country's exports of IT products and services are growing every year.

 

The flagship of Kazakhstan's GovTech, the eGov platform, is a shining example of how IT simplifies and accelerates the delivery of government services. Through eGov, almost all government services, including vehicle registration, medical appointments, obtaining licenses (permits), and social benefits, are available online. This has allowed Kazakh citizens to avoid long queues and reduce the time spent visiting government institutions.

The implementation of such services in Afghanistan can provide the basis for the institutionalization of information technology and lead to the optimization of the performance of state institutions and the improvement of the quality of life of citizens. In addition, platforms such as eGov increase the digital literacy of the population and pave the way for the active use of technologies in other sectors, such as education and health.

 

Strengthening cooperation between Kazakhstan and Afghanistan in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT) will be an important step on the path of development of both countries. Kazakhstan is ready to share its experience with the Afghan side and transfer best practices in IT.

Afghanistan should explore opportunities for IT partnership with Kazakhstan. The integration of Kazakh technologies can help reduce the digital divide between Afghanistan and other countries and create an efficient digital ecosystem that will be the basis for sustainable socio-economic growth.

Choosing Kazakhstan as an information technology partner is a strategic decision based on international recognition of the country's digital achievements, strong economic relations, and mutual trust.