Kazakhstan to host Google Cloud at Akashi data center

Photo REUTERS/Albert Gea, photo editor: Dastan Shanay

In 2027, Google plans to open a local node of its cloud platform in Kazakhstan. The new facility will be located at the Akashi Data Center in Astana, the largest Tier IV data center in Central Asia.

According to Akashi, the arrival of Google Cloud in Kazakhstan means that its popular services will operate faster and more reliably, as access to them will be direct, eliminating delays through international channels. As a result, local businesses will gain new tools for growth and technology adoption. Furthermore, Kazakhstan will strengthen its status as a regional digital hub.

Currently, large companies aren’t allowed to use Google Cloud for corporate tasks, as Kazakhstan’s legislature requires companies to store citizens’ data within the country. This measure is designed to protect the personal data of Kazakhstanis.

Once Google establishes a local presence here, it will transform Kazakhstan into a digital hub, said Vladislav Minkevich, CEO of Akashi.

«For Akashi, this is an opportunity to connect the region to the global ecosystem of telecom, IT and cloud services,» he emphasized.

On September 24, some media outlets reported that Kazakhstan appeared on the global map of China Mobile International (CMI) for the first time, as its Akashi Data Center has been chosen as a strategic platform for developing digital infrastructure in Central Asia. According to CMI, it plans to utilize Akashi’s Tier IV capacity (100 MW) as a backbone platform for servicing AI systems used by communication operators and government agencies.

Google Cloud is Google’s cloud platform, providing a suite of services for data storage, computing, analytics, machine learning and infrastructure management. It enables businesses and developers to build, test and deploy applications using scalable Google resources such as virtual machines, databases and AI tools. The platform supports flexibility, security and integration with other Google services, helping to optimize processes and reduce costs.

Akashi Data Center in Astana is the first and largest Tier IV data center in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and the CIS, spanning 11 hectares. The center promotes the idea of establishing a digital hub in the region, offering reliable data storage and cybersecurity solutions.