05 Mar 2025
Next Stop Uzbekistan: A Thriving Hub for Digital Growth and Investment
by Andrey Pyatakhin, CEO, Beeline Uzbekistan
Carrying the buzz of the Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, we will be gearing up for the next big event of the year: M360 Eurasia, which will take place in Uzbekistan’s capital city of Tashkent on 21-22 May 2025. Partnering with the GSMA and the Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan as the host sponsor of the event, Beeline Uzbekistan looks forward to welcoming participants to the first M360 event of the year!
Uzbekistan is at the cultural and economic crossroads of Central Asia, strategically positioned between Europe and Asia. It is emerging as one of the fastest-growing markets in VEON Group and is widely recognized as a digital transformation leader in the region. With a strong government commitment to digitalization, an expanding tech sector and increasing foreign investment, Uzbekistan is driving the future of connectivity and innovation in Eurasia.
The country is undergoing a rapid digital transformation, with internet use rising from just 55% of the population in 2018 to 89% in 2023, according to the World Bank. With expanding nationwide 4G networks, mobile broadband penetration now exceeds 82%, demonstrating strong demand for connectivity and connected digital services.
Under the Digital Uzbekistan 2030 strategy, the government is focused on expanding IT infrastructure, developing e-governance, and increasing the digital share of GDP. As a result, the ICT sector has attracted growing foreign investment over the past five years, with new incentives encouraging global tech firms to establish a presence in Uzbekistan.
With over 60% of its population under the age of 30, Uzbekistan has a young, digitally engaged generation driving demand for digital financial services, AI-driven tools, and localized digital content. Beeline’s own Beepul is part of the country’s growing fintech sector, and KPMG has forecast that the e-commerce market could grow with a CAGR of 41.4% to 47.4% between 2022 and 2027.
Uzbekistan’s startup ecosystem is flourishing, with IT startups able to benefit from government-backed incubators and investment programs. Initiatives like IT-Park Uzbekistan, which is Beeline Uzbekistan’s new home, are fueling the growth of AI research and digital education, equipping young developers with the skills needed for the digital economy.
Tashkent is emerging as a technology and investment hub, making it an attractive venue for M360 participants to convene for discussions focusing on connectivity, AI, and the future of digital ecosystems. The country is benefitting from foreign investment, with global technology firms and telecom leaders expanding their presence as they hope to benefit from the digital growth potential.
Our parent company VEON has been actively investing in Uzbekistan since 2006, with cumulative investments surpassing USD 1.5 billion. Our work helps to build digital infrastructure, expand mobile broadband access and foster local innovation. Homegrown digital services such as the Hambi super-app, Beepul digital financial services and VEON AdTech enterprise solutions are enhancing digital experiences for consumers and businesses across the country.
With these services, we are delighted to be the company that is at the forefront of innovation in Uzbekistan and to bring the M360 to Tashkent – showcasing the role of Uzbekistan at the heart of the next wave of digital transformation in Eurasia.
We look forward to welcoming the mobile ecosystem and all participants to an event that will highlight the region’s potential and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.