Kazakh superapp Aitu aims to challenge WhatsApp’s dominance

Kazakhstan’s national messenger, Aitu, is aiming to make everyday tasks easier for users, from obtaining government documents to transferring money and signing documents digitally.

At the AI & Digital Bridge 2026 forum, BTS Digital, which developed the messenger, unveiled a major update that expands Aitu beyond messaging and adds a range of digital services. The company is positioning the platform as a «Swiss Army knife» for everyday life in Kazakhstan.

Read also: New 1-gigawatt data center project to transform Kazakhstan’s economy.

WhatsApp remains the dominant messaging platform in Kazakhstan, reaching more than 80% of the country’s population, or more than 13 million people, according to recent estimates. Aitu, meanwhile, has surpassed 1 million monthly active users. The developers are focusing on integrating practical services into the platform rather than competing solely on messaging volume.

Read also: Durov calls out WhatsApp: ‘You’d have to be braindead to believe it’s secure.’

Aitu for government services

The highlight of the presentation was «AI to You,» a built-in artificial intelligence assistant designed to simplify access to government services.

Instead of searching for a specific service or document, users can send a request to the AI assistant in a chat. The system identifies the relevant service, retrieves the necessary information and helps process the request.

What’s new in Aitu?

The updated Aitu also allows users to create family and work communities, automatically translate messages between Kazakh and Russian, transfer money directly within chats and receive secure notifications from verified government agencies and businesses. The new functionality also includes digital document signing.

Read also: Digitizing tradition: Kazakhs can now send cash gifts via Aitu.

Aitu’s user base

In August, during a government meeting, Maksat Nuridenuly, head of BTS Digital, reported that 6.8 million people had registered on Aitu. The platform has about 100,000 daily active users.