How Women in Tech Travelled the Historic Silk Road and Opened the Central Asia Region in Just 18 Months
Central Asia is a region located at the very centre of the world — historically shaped by the Silk Road, where ideas and cultures moved freely across borders.
Today, with nearly 80 million people, a predominantly young population, and rapid investment in digital infrastructure and innovation, the region is entering a new phase of exploration. The growing role of women in technology and leadership reflects a deeper structural shift.
In just 18 months, Women in Tech completed one of its fastest regional journeys across Central Asia, with chapter launches personally supported by Ayumi Moore Aoki, Founder and CEO of Women in Tech Global.
Uzbekistan
The first Women in Tech chapter in Central Asia was launched in Uzbekistan in March 2024.
Led by Director Anna Ambrozevich, the team delivered over 80 initiatives, engaging more than 7,000 participants. The chapter launched programmes such as Women in Tech Talks, I Am Remarkable, Global Voice, AI Boost, the Regional Roadshow, and others, and produced two documentary film episodes featuring real heroines and their families. A strong focus was placed on regional outreach: the team visited all regions of Uzbekistan, reaching over 19 cities beyond the capital.
In 2024, Uzbekistan hosted the Women in Tech CCA Awards in Tashkent, covering Central Asia and the Caucasus. For three consecutive years, representatives from Uzbekistan received the Life Achievement Award.
In 2025, the chapter signed the Osaka Protocol at the Women in Tech Global Summit in Japan and was awarded the Global Youth Engagement Award, marking international recognition of its regional impact.
Kazakhstan
The movement continued in Kazakhstan in September 2024.
Led by Director Assem Bolatzhan, the chapter quickly gained international visibility. Since its launch, Women in Tech Kazakhstan has united over 6,000 participants and built a portfolio of more than 100 initiatives focused on women’s leadership, digital skills, and professional growth in technology.
Key programmes included the AI for Her educational initiative, reaching over 4,000 women nationwide, the Female Founders Support programme for women entrepreneurs and startup founders, the localised international WIFI DX programme, Women in Tech Talks, and a dedicated direction supporting girls in regional areas. An important milestone was the creation of a dedicated Women in Tech space at a university, strengthening the chapter’s long-term infrastructure.
In 2025, Kazakhstan hosted the Women in Tech CCA Awards, reinforcing its role as one of the regional centres of the Women in Tech ecosystem in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The combination of scale, systemic programmes, and regional leadership led to international recognition: Women in Tech Kazakhstan was named Chapter of the Year at the Women in Tech Global Summit in Osaka, Japan.
Kyrgyzstan
In February 2025, Kyrgyzstan joined the journey.
Led by Director Alia Chynybaeva, the chapter delivered a series of large-scale, high-quality events, training sessions, webinars, and workshops throughout the year.
The chapter opening at AUCA attracted an exceptional audience, with over 1,000 attendees, including speakers and guests from government ministries, commercial banks, councils, and founders of leading national IT companies.
A key milestone was the launch of the Women ICT Frontier Initiative (WIFI DX) — a gender-focused programme supporting women entrepreneurs through business digitalisation and regional digital inclusion.
During its first cohort, 45 women completed the programme and received certifications.
Tajikistan
In September 2025, Tajikistan became part of the journey.
Led by Director Zarina Achilova, the chapter launch received strong institutional backing from senior government stakeholders, including deputy prime ministers and high-level representatives responsible for finance, economic development, investment, and digital infrastructure, as well as international development organisations and financial institutions.
To mark the launch, a three-day regional programme was organised, bringing together leading technology voices from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The programme created a platform for cross-border dialogue on digital transformation, women’s leadership in technology, and innovation-driven entrepreneurship. It also featured a startup pitching session for women-founded ventures, highlighting scalable technology-based solutions with social and economic impact.
One Region. One Team.
What defines Women in Tech in Central Asia is not only the speed of growth, but the way it happened.
The chapters evolved as one region, one team.
Directors learned together, supported each other, and built momentum collectively rather than in isolation.
This unity became especially visible in 2025, when over 40 delegates from Central Asia attended the Women in Tech Global Summit in Osaka — representing different countries, but moving forward with a shared regional voice.
From the historic Silk Road to a new phase of exploration, Central Asia is once again becoming a space of connection — this time through technology, leadership, and global collaboration.
The fifth Central Asian country is already in preparation — stay tuned!
