By the end of 2026, the digital tenge is expected to be used in 100 projects. So far, 20 pilot projects have been completed, another 10 are underway, and 50 are being prepared for launch, according to the press service of the Government of Kazakhstan.
The volume of digital tenge issued has reached ₸340 billion.
Digital tenge to be introduced in public procurement
The technical integration of the digital tenge platform with the Ministry of Finance’s information systems is expected to be completed in August. The digital tenge will then be used for public procurement of goods, medicines, fuel and lubricants, and other supplies.
The status of the digital tenge platform and its operating procedures have already been established by law.
Pilot projects cover several areas
The digital tenge is being tested in infrastructure construction, budget lending, subsidies, and grant funding. It is also used to provide government support, administer taxes, and conduct procurement by the National Bank and quasi-public sector organisations.
The use of the digital tenge is mandatory for eight categories of budget expenditure in projects worth over ₸100 million.
Spending can be tracked at every stage
One of the project’s objectives is to ensure end-to-end tracking of public funds, from the general contractor to the final service provider.
Subcontractors are not always ready to enter into smart contracts to use the digital tenge because this is not currently required by law. The Ministry of Finance has prepared amendments to establish the legal framework needed to connect subcontractors.