LocationsDigital Kyzylorda: over 160 local entrepreneurs empowered
May 5, 2025
Workshop participants in the Shieli district.
The Digital Kyzylorda workshop series, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea, successfully concluded its mission to upskill local businesses.
From April 15 to 22, 162 participants from all seven districts of the region — Aral, Karmakshy, Kazaly, Shieli, Syrdarya, Zhalagash, and Zhanakorgan — gained crucial digital competencies tailored to the realities of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Kazakhstan.
Workshop participants in the Karmakshy district.
According to the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in 2024, women comprised 48.1 percent of the country's small and medium-sized enterprise owners. The workshops mirrored this figure, where nearly half of the 162 entrepreneurs were women. Participants came from various sectors, including agriculture, retail, food services, and logistics, highlighting the widespread need for digital tools across local industries.
The workshops were diverse and highly practical. Sessions covered digital marketing on platforms such as Instagram and WhatsApp, content creation using Canva, cloud-based accounting, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, e-commerce strategies, and even emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
Workshop participants in the Syrdarya district.
Trainers also addressed more technical subjects such as cybersecurity, automation of financial operations, and the use of platforms like Trello and Asana for project management, which are often seen as confusing for first-time users. But through hands-on learning, participants built confidence and began to envision how these tools could transform their business models.
One of the local entrepreneurs who stood out during the training series was Toktar Zhuzimov, who operates two successful ventures: a restaurant and a gift shop. As an individual who recognizes the opportunities that technology provides to business owners, he leverages digital content creation, targeted advertising, and social media promotions to engage his customer base. For Toktar, the workshops were a way to refine and amplify his strategies.
Toktar Zhuzimov, a workshop participant in the Shieli district.
The feedback from participants reflected the programme’s impact. Many appreciated the balance between theory and practice and the effort to make complex digital topics accessible. For some entrepreneurs, the topics covered during the workshop were new, but their enthusiasm and perseverance in learning new concepts and trying them in practice were evident. Trainers noted how quickly participants’ engagement grew once participants realized the relevance and immediate applicability of their learning.
Katarzyna Wawiernia, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan, emphasized the significance of local empowerment:
“At UNDP, we believe that sustainable development begins at the local level. In the Kyzylorda region, we are proud to support entrepreneurs creating jobs and shaping their communities’ future. These workshops lay the groundwork for long-term, inclusive growth — driven by the people, for the people.”
The Digital Kyzylorda workshop series is part of a broader initiative titled “SDG Partnership on Supporting MSMEs through Inclusive Digital Transformation,” implemented in collaboration with the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre. It merges the Republic of Korea’s cutting-edge development experience with the local context of Kazakhstan’s regions, creating a practical blueprint for scalable and inclusive digital progress.
Olesya Matyash is conducting a workshop in the Shieli district.
“With the generous support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre helps translate Korea’s development experiences into practical, context-tailored solutions through close collaboration with our partner countries. Digital Kyzylorda exemplifies our mission to localize global development solutions, and we are proud to see how MSMEs in Kyzylorda are harnessing digital tools to build skills, confidence, and stronger businesses,”said Anne Juepner, Director of the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre.
Although this round of workshops has ended, its effects are far from over. The momentum created, the skills gained, and the networks formed are already generating ripple effects across Kyzylorda’s entrepreneurial landscape. Whether through a restaurant’s online presence, a flower shop’s digital marketing campaign, or a farm’s streamlined accounting system, the impact of digital literacy is being felt in everyday operations.
Workshop participants in the Zhalagash district.
Digital transformation, when made inclusive and practical, digital transformation is not just a trend—it becomes a sustainable engine for local development. Through initiatives like Digital Kyzylorda, the foundation is being laid for a future where local businesses aren’t just surviving but thriving, connected, capable, and competitive on a national and global scale.
