Today, Uzbekistan is rapidly emerging as the technological engine of Central Asia, a transformation reflected not just in words but in staggering numbers. At the “Digital Qazaqstan 2026” international forum, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov unveiled critical milestones and ambitious future plans for the nation’s digital journey.
The last decade has been a “golden era” for Uzbekistan’s startup environment. The Prime Minister highlighted that the total value of the country’s startup ecosystem has skyrocketed from $1 million to $4 billion. This represents a phenomenal 4,000x increase.
Currently, the nation boasts over 800 active startups, 60 of which are already exporting their services to global markets. Furthermore, the venture capital market is approaching the $350 million mark, signaling growing investor confidence in the Uzbek market.
Uzbekistan has achieved remarkable results in developing its digital infrastructure. In just a few years, broadband internet penetration has surged from 41% to 99.5%, while total network capacity has expanded 40-fold.
However, the government’s ambitions do not stop there. The next primary objective is to provide modern connectivity to the most remote and mountainous regions of the country.
Prime Minister Aripov announced that by 2026, satellite internet will be launched on a pilot basis in Uzbekistan’s most remote areas. Several strategic steps have already been taken to realize this vision:
- Partnership with Amazon: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with “Amazon Kuiper Commercial Service.”
- EU Support: Strategic agreements have been reached within the framework of the European “TEI Digital Connectivity” program.
- Tax Incentives: Satellite internet operators will be exempted from land, property, income, and VAT taxes for a period of five years.
According to World Bank rankings, Uzbekistan now ranks among the global leaders in digital government maturity. This success is driven by concrete digital solutions:
- E-government: Unified systems are saving the state 30% in administrative costs.
- AI Roadmap: Approximately 100 artificial intelligence projects are currently in development.
- Industrial Analytics: Over 20,000 sensors are being used for real-time industrial data processing and analysis.
Uzbekistan’s plans to launch its first satellite and train its first astronaut by 2028 underscore the nation’s high technological aspirations. This digital transformation is not only boosting economic indicators but also opening doors of opportunity for every citizen, regardless of their location.
