Chinese IT firm Maase signs MOU with Kazakh telco for data center in Ekibastuz

Huazhi Future, a subsidiary of Chinese IT firm Maase, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kazakh telecom operator KT-Telecom to develop a large-scale data center campus in northeastern Kazakhstan. The proposed facility would be located in Ekibastuz, a city the Kazakh government is actively promoting as a regional "data center valley" due to its proximity to the area's coal basin and associated energy resources.

While the agreement signals a potential cross-border expansion for Maase, the companies did not disclose details regarding the project's size, capacity, or construction timeline. Memoranda of Understanding are preliminary and non-binding, meaning the project remains subject to further negotiations and feasibility assessments before any firm commitments are made.

Huazhi said the planned data center would be part of its "Stars Distributed Intelligent Computing Center Project," a RMB5 billion (approximately $738 million) initiative announced in April 2026 to build data centers across China's western provinces. Xinjiang, China's westernmost province, shares a direct border with Kazakhstan, making Ekibastuz a strategically positioned site for extending the project's reach into Central Asia.

Maase, headquartered in Chongqing, operates across artificial intelligence, battery technology, and energy sectors. The company listed on the Nasdaq in 2019 but has seen its share price decline sharply since its initial public offering, falling from $408 to roughly $18.80—a drop of approximately 95 percent.

The memorandum reflects a broader trend of Chinese technology firms exploring data center opportunities in Central Asia, where energy costs and land availability offer competitive advantages. For Kazakhstan, attracting foreign investment in digital infrastructure aligns with its ambitions to diversify the economy and position itself as a regional technology hub. However, the preliminary nature of the agreement means that concrete outcomes will depend on subsequent due diligence, regulatory approvals, and the ability of both parties to align on technical and commercial terms.