Uzbekistan aims to localize 45% of software and IT services in public sector and banks

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was presented with a comprehensive report on May 1 regarding ongoing reforms and future priorities in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalization. A key takeaway from the meeting was a new initiative to significantly increase the use of domestic IT solutions, with a target to localize at least 45% of software products and IT services within state-owned enterprises and banks.

Photo: Presidential press service

To achieve this goal, officials proposed a new system requiring state-owned entities and banks to coordinate all IT service imports with the Agency for Industrial Cooperation and Public Procurement. Under this framework, orders for digital products and services would be prioritized for residents of the IT Park, fostering a stronger local ecosystem. President Mirziyoyev emphasized that digitalization and AI are no longer merely technological innovations but strategic pillars that determine economic efficiency, the quality of public administration, and the country's global competitiveness.

The meeting also addressed critical gaps in digital education and infrastructure. While the "5 Million AI Leaders" project has successfully trained over 1.3 million people across various levels, the school system faces physical infrastructure challenges. Analysis revealed that 69% of schools currently lack Wi-Fi zones, 5,000 computer labs are obsolete, and 2,000 schools have no computer labs at all. In response, the President mandated a strategy to update 16,000 computer classes, provide free Wi-Fi, and increase internet speeds across all schools by 2030.

The telecommunications sector has shown rapid growth, with the coverage of populated areas increasing from 41% to 98% in recent years. Total internet bandwidth has expanded 65 times, reaching 4.4 terabits per second. Looking forward, the government plans to grow the telecommunications market by at least 10% annually, with a target volume of UZS 27.5 trillion for the current year. To manage this expanding market and protect consumer rights, a dedicated regulatory agency has been established.

Cybersecurity and the integration of government systems were also high on the agenda. The President underscored that all state information systems must be integrated exclusively through a single e-government platform. To ensure safety, systems that have not passed a cybersecurity audit will be restricted from connecting to the platform. Furthermore, a mandatory full IT audit of these systems will be conducted every two years to maintain high standards of information security.