The purpose of the article is to study the digitalisation process of the CIS countries’ economy, compare the approaches, successes and complexities arising in this way, including estimation of prospects and trends of the digital economy in these countries. The paper considers the concept ‘digital economy’, for what purpose is it implemented, how the economic advance is associated with economy digitalisation, what is the role of the state in this process. It is stated that each of the CIS countries chose its own way to implement high technologies, with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan being the most successful. However, digital transformation brings a number of challenges, including the need to bridge the digital divide, significant financial assistance, the issues of cyber security and modernisation of education. Therefore, state support is needed for the development of the legal framework and the strategy for implementing digitalisation, establishment of primary goals, and allocation of resources. © 2024 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.