Hello. In a world where technology penetrates every corner of life, figures like Bagdat Musin deserve a closer look. He is one of those who led the digitalization in Kazakhstan, transferring government services to smartphones and building infrastructure for the future. In this post, I will analyze his journey step by step: from key roles to real results, from successes to moments of controversy. All based on open data - without unnecessary fluff, but with a focus on what is important to understand. Let's figure out what he did, why it worked (or didn't), and what mark he left in the industry.
Who is Bagdat Musin: the path from post to telecom
Bagdat Musin is a typical example of a Kazakh technocrat: he started with IT and government services, went through several ministries, and now manages one of the country's largest companies. His career is a chain of roles where each step is connected with digital and communication.
From 2014 to 2016, he headed "Kazpost," where he likely laid the foundations for future reforms in logistics and services. Then, in 2017–2018, he moved to the General Prosecutor's Office as the head of the Committee on Legal Statistics - here the focus shifted to data and analytics. Previously, he worked at the National Technology Agency (NAT) and the Ministry of Communications, gaining experience in government IT.
The culmination came in 2020: Musin became the Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry (MDDAI). This role lasted until April 2024, when he was released by presidential decree. And already in June of the same year, he headed JSC "Kazakhtelecom" - a company that controls a significant part of the telecom market. This appointment seems like a logical continuation: from reforms at the top to implementation on the ground.
Overall, his path is from the operational level (post, statistics) to the strategic (ministry, telecom). This is not a random set of positions, but a consistent growth in a field where Kazakhstan is trying to catch up with the digital world.
What succeeded: steps in digitalization
Musin is not one to promise stars but rarely shows figures. His period in MDDAI is a series of projects with clear metrics. Let's go through the main ones, focusing on how this affected ordinary people.
Government services in your pocket: from bureaucracy to smartphone
One of the main themes of his ministry was the transfer of services to a mobile format. By 2023–2024, the share of electronic government services reached 93–94%. This is not just statistics: the emphasis is on "proactive" scenarios, where the state itself offers assistance without requests from citizens. For example, from 26 to 40 services per year, with millions of provisions - benefit payments, fine notifications, or automatic document renewal.
The key move is integration with super-apps like Kaspi and Halyk. More than 50 popular services are now available directly in banking apps. The volume of requests via smartphones has increased many times: fewer queues in public service centers, more time for life. Plus, the phased abolition of paper certificates - requirements were removed for 28 types of documents, eliminating tens of millions of paper requests annually.
Another step is digital documents and identification. They launched the "Digital Passport" in eGov Mobile, developed QR-signing and biometrics through Mobile-ID. In fact, this means that now you can sign contracts or receive services without leaving home, with a level of security close to traditional methods. The result? Reduced workload on agencies and increased convenience for users - year by year, metrics grow.
Communication infrastructure: from villages to 5G
Communication is the foundation of everything digital. Here Musin promoted projects like "250+" and "Fiber to the Village." The first connects settlements with 250+ residents to the internet, the second builds fiber-optic lines to villages. The plans are ambitious: to cover more than 3000 villages, lay about 60,000 km of optics, and install towers along roads. This is not a quick fix, but a step towards equal access.
In 2022, auctions for 5G in the 3.6–3.8 GHz range were held. Two lots, competitive bidding - 156 billion tenge went to the budget. Operators took obligations for base stations until 2027. Plus a transparent mechanism and funding for the national project "Affordable Internet." The downside? The quality of communication still lags in regions - more on this below.
Ashyq: QR as a salvation during the pandemic
At the height of COVID-19, Musin launched Ashyq - a QR code system for access to establishments. It was a tool for targeted control: businesses could operate if they followed the rules. Later, the project was transferred to the state. For many, it became a way to restart the economy in tough times - cafes and shops opened faster than without such a framework.
Ratings and global perspective
Under his leadership, Kazakhstan entered the top 10 in the UN Online Service Index (OSI) in 2022 and 2024 - this is about the quality of online services. In the composite E-Government Development Index (EGDI) - 24th place in 2024. Strong front-end (interfaces, accessibility), but average telecom base. This reflects the approach: first convenience for the user, then infrastructure.
Aerospace and IT economy
In aerospace, the emphasis is on monitoring: using satellite images in construction and urban planning. This added accuracy to government processes.
In the IT sector, taxes from companies increased by 46% by 2022. The goal is $1 billion in IT service exports by 2026. In fact, exports have grown significantly since 2020 thanks to Astana Hub and market incentives.
As a result, these steps created a tangible effect: from saving citizens' time to inflows of money into the budget. But digitalization is not only about positives.
Shadows in the background: controversies and shortcomings
No reform is perfect. Musin had enough moments where criticism was loud - from statements to real problems.
Firstly, the quality of communication. Mass complaints: "expensive and poor," especially outside cities. Already as the head of "Kazakhtelecom," Musin acknowledged the lack of quality for 580 thousand optical subscribers and promised improvements. Programs like "Fiber to the Village" help, but the effect is stretched - the infrastructure debt has been accumulating for years.
Secondly, communications. The statement that "Astana has overtaken Tokyo in mobile internet" went viral but was criticized for inaccuracy. Musin himself later spoke about problems in the capital. Another resonance - "save the internet like water" and disputes about operators' unlimited plans. Such phrases fueled the image of "PR" instead of action.
Ashyq also faced controversies: privacy intrusion, questions about data legality. For some, it's control; for others, a necessity.
The transition from digital signatures to QR-signing and Mobile-ID simplified life, but businesses worried about risks. Pilots in eGov were ongoing, but skepticism remained.
Finally, the demonopolization of "Kazakhtelecom": as a minister, he proposed to separate the mobile asset for competition, and then he himself headed the company. Critics see a conflict, supporters - a chance to implement from within.
These moments show: reforms require a balance between speed and trust.
Management style: what stands out
Musin is a technocrat with a product focus. He focuses on the user: government services became simpler, integrations with banks - natural, proactivity - the norm. Top-10 OSI is a direct result of this approach. Strong in regulation: 5G auctions brought money, frameworks for internet investments - stability.
But there are weaknesses. Infrastructure lags: quality in regions is the main complaint, despite incentives like reducing RFS payments. Communications sometimes fail - sharp comparisons undermine authority. Pandemic tools like Ashyq helped but left a residue of "digital oversight."
Overall, his style is reformist: quick changes on the front, slow on the backend. Not a populist, but with bright accents that sometimes play against.
Conclusion: a reformist with a product hand
Bagdat Musin has proven that he can push digitalization forward. His metrics - 93% online services, top-10 OSI, 156 billion from 5G - are not abstraction, but real improvement for millions. Citizens spend less time on bureaucracy, businesses see incentives, the budget - revenues. But unevenness in communication and communication blunders remind us: the path to a fully digital Kazakhstan is still long.
Now, as the head of "Kazakhtelecom," he can close the gaps - implement promises from within. Time will tell. If you work in IT or just use eGov, his reforms have likely touched you. What do you think - more pros or cons? Share in the comments.
Sources (main, for those who dig deeper)
- Biography and appointments: Akorda.kz (decree on release), Kapital.kz (dossier).
- Government services and proactivity: CSC under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, eGov.kz.
- Integrations and smartphoneization: Kapital.kz.
- 5G and infrastructure: Tengrinews.kz.
- Ashyq: Zakon.kz, Wikipedia.
- UN ratings: Kazakhstanskaya Pravda.
- Criticism and statements: Radio Azattyq, Ranking.kz, Tengrinews.kz.
- IT economy and space: Primeminister.kz.
If I missed something - clarify, we'll figure it out. See you soon!
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