Nov 26, 2025
The CIS region is entering a decisive decade of digital transformation. Governments across Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are accelerating national strategies that reshape connectivity, governance, and the digital economy.
Who is doing what, and is there harmonisation?
Long‑term visions (to 2030): Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, and Tajikistan are pursuing systemic reforms in 5G rollout, AI adoption, and smart city development.
Shorter‑term modernization: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan are prioritising infrastructure upgrades, often tied to broader national visions like Kazakhstan 2050 or regional projects such as the EU‑backed Connectivity for Central Asia (C4CA).
Examples include:
Kazakhstan: Nationwide 4G, 5G in major cities, and satellite internet expansion under the Accessible Internet Project.
Kyrgyzstan: Pilot project testing non‑geostationary satellite systems (2025–2026).
Turkmenistan: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supporting telecom and digital infrastructure development, with the TurkmenAlem52E satellite expanding internet access in rural areas.
Flagship digital initiatives include:
Uzbekistan: Smart agriculture projects, and smart city pilots using IoT applications under Digital Uzbekistan 2030.
Azerbaijan & Kazakhstan: Digital Silk Way fiber‑optic corridor linking the two countries.
Armenia: Yerevan’s Urban Development Investment Project 2025, introducing smart traffic management, climate‑resilient roads, and inclusive governance.
Kyrgyzstan: Asman Smart City near Lake Issyk Kul – a $20B eco‑smart city with IoT infrastructure and renewable energy.
Turkmenistan: Arkadag Smart City – the country’s first “green and digital city” with smart utilities and e‑government integration.
What doors are being opened?
This region is one to watch! Key developments include:
Spectrum allocations: 5G (Armenia, Uzbekistan) and Wi‑Fi 6E (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan).
New telecom laws: Uzbekistan’s updated Law on Telecommunications and Kazakhstan’s draft law under discussion.
Digital economy programs: National strategies aligning with international standards, while reflecting local priorities
These moves signal both opportunity and complexity: harmonisation with global frameworks is increasing, but each country’s trajectory remains distinct.
Common themes across CIS countries and global connectivity
Across the region, several shared themes emerge that tie into wider global plans for integration:
Digital infrastructure as a foundation: All CIS countries are investing in connectivity that links them to global networks.
Smart cities as testbeds: Urban projects in Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan mirror global efforts to embed sustainability, resilience, and digital governance into city planning.
Spectrum and standards alignment: Moves toward 5G, Wi‑Fi 6E, and updated telecom laws show increasing harmonisation with international regulatory frameworks.
Regional corridors and partnerships: Initiatives like Digital Silk Way and Connectivity for Central Asia reflect a broader geopolitical push to integrate the CIS into Eurasian and global digital trade routes.
Balancing national priorities with global trends: Each country’s timeline and focus differ, but the collective direction is toward greater participation in the global digital economy.
At Horizon Regulatory Partners, we study these regulatory trajectories in combination, to best advise manufacturers on opportunities and strategies for global market access, and compliance challenges that may exist.