Edition Forbes Kazakhstan presented the rating for 2024 — "50 most influential businessmen of Kazakhstan". The publication emphasizes that the current top-50 turned out to be quite predictable, compared to previous years. If there were six newcomers in the rating last year, which reflected the emergence of new forces in the changing geography of economic (and political) "power points", this year there are only three of them.
Among the new participants in the rating: the 50-year-old founder and shareholder of the ride-hailing service InDrive, Arsen Tomskyi, who became a Kazakh only because of the war started by Russia, relocating his business and accepting Kazakh citizenship.
45-year-old creator of Bilim Media Group Rauan Kenjehanuli. His company was founded in 2011, already in the same year it implemented the project "Kazakh Wikipedia" and received the award The Wikimedia of the Year. In 2014, Bilim Media Group introduced the Kazakh language into the Google Translate translation service, and from 2017 to 2021, it translated 100 textbooks into Kazakh with a total circulation of one million copies.
The third newcomer to the rating is Marat Zhuman, the 48-year-old founder and owner of the Atasu Group transport and logistics holding, which operates in 30 countries around the world. He was the winner of the Kazakh stage of the EY "Entrepreneur of the Year - 2018" competition. In 2023, Atasu Group signed an agreement on partnership and strategic cooperation with the largest Chinese port company Shandon Port Group, which owns 52 cargo ships and has a total transport capacity of 550 thousand tons and a cargo turnover of 16,5 thousand containers per month.
It is also noted that the average age of the most influential businessmen of Kazakhstan, compared to the previous list, increased by a year and amounted to 54 years.
Version Forbes Kazakhstan warns that the rating is purely an evaluative journalistic publication of Forbes Kazakhstan and cannot be used as a document or official information.
Methodology
The basic list included 90 of the most famous and active businessmen of Kazakhstan, taking into account their public and sponsoring activities. From these, the research team selected a longlist of 67 participants with the highest figures in terms of capital and taxes paid by their companies for the year 2023. This list was evaluated on a six-point scale by a pool of experts, which included business representatives (not affiliated with the rating participants), heads of business associations, political and public figures, analysts and business media journalists. When drawing up the shortlist, expert evaluation had the greatest weight. The age of the participants is indicated as of October 1, 2024.
1. Volodymyr Kim
Metals, finance, 63 years old
Volodymyr Kim is a shareholder, president and non-executive director of KAZ Minerals Ltd. The group includes the Bozshakol open-pit mines in Pavlodar region and Aktogai in East Kazakhstan region, three underground mines in East Kazakhstan, and the Bozymchak gold-copper mine in Kyrgyzstan.
Majority owner of Bank RBK JSC (through KSS Finance LLC). Member of the board of directors of JSC "Kazakhmys Copper".
The profit of "Kazakhmys" increased 6 times
From the annual report of JSC "Kazakhmys Copper" for 2023, it became known that the group received a profit 6 times more than in the previous year - 111,85 billion tenge against 18,07 billion. Also, the group for the first time used "GRI Standards 2021 recommendations to improve transparency and disclosure of non-financial information". The report states that "the company adheres to the principles of the UN Global Compact and integrates the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its strategy, highlighting six priority SDGs for further implementation: (1) good health and well-being, (2) clean water and sanitation, (3) ) decent work and economic growth, (4) industrialization, innovation and infrastructure, (5) responsible consumption and production, (6) combating climate change. However, the same report shows that, so far, RES in the company's energy consumption is only 1,9% of the total.
In addition, in May of this year, the billionaire got rid of an asset that had become toxic, the Russian deposit of Baimsk. This year, GDK Baimsk was included in the SDN List (Specially Designated Nationals — an American list of sanctions administered by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control). The company Trianon Limited, owned by Volodymyr Kim and Oleg Novachuk (No. 17 of the rating), owned Baimska after the withdrawal from KAZ Minerals, sold its share to the combined closed joint investment fund "Northern Aurora" and UC "RusCapital" of the Russian Oleg Balan.
In 2024, "Kazakhmys" and KAZ Minerals initially transferred 800 million tenge to help victims of floods and eliminate the consequences of natural disasters in Kazakhstan, and also sent more than 20 tons of humanitarian aid and special equipment to flooded regions. However, later, in April, it was decided that the contribution of the companies, among which AltynAlmas, Karazhira and RBK Bank are also named in the report, will be increased to 40 billion tenge, which will be directed to the restoration of infrastructure and the construction of social facilities .
2. Vyacheslav Kim
Diversified business, 55 years
Vyacheslav Kim is a shareholder and chairman of the board of directors of Kaspi.kz. Majority shareholder and member of the board of directors of Alseco JSC, ultimate beneficiary of the Magnum Cash&Carry retail chain.
The businessman is also the president of the Kazakhstan Taekwondo Federation, a member of the board of the Kazakhstan Association of Financiers, a member of the board of directors of NAO "RFMSh", a member of the board of trustees of the Fizmat Endowment Fund, the chairman of the board of trustees of the "Mercy" Voluntary Society.
Losses have also arrived
According to Kaspi's report for the first half of 2024, the company's revenue increased by 36% compared to the same period of the previous year and amounted to 1152 billion tenge, and profit increased by 25% to 466 billion tenge.
At the end of August, the company announced its interest in acquiring the Humo payment system in Uzbekistan. Applications for the privatization of the state-owned National Interbank Processing Center (Humo) were opened in the middle of last summer.
On September 19, the American company Culper Research published a report on Kaspi, in which it suggested the possibility of its inclusion in the US sanctions list. Kaspi called it a speculative attack by shorts to profit from a short-term fall in share prices. Kaspi shares fell in two days of trading after the release of the report from $119,01 to $97,1 per share (-18,4%, or $4,2 billion of capitalization). As of September 27, the share price rose to $102,99.
3. Bulat Utemuratov
Diversified business, 66 years old
Bulat Utemuratov owns a controlling stake in JSC "ForteBank" (his son Alidar is a minority shareholder), shares in LLC "KaR-Tel" and LLC "Sky Mobile" (operators of "Beeline" communications in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, respectively), gold mining company RG Gold, media advertising market operator Video International Kazakhstan, Ritz-Carlton hotels in Astana and Vienna, The Carlton in Moscow, Rixos Borovoe in Akmola region, Burger King franchise in Kazakhstan, developer Global Development. The billionaire also owns NAO "Narxoz University", the private Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, through which he has shares in NAO "Haileybury Astana School" and NAO "Haileybury Almaty". Businessman - founder and member of the board of trustees of the Bulat Utemuratova Foundation, president of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation, member of the executive committee of the NOC of the Republic of Kazakhstan, vice president and member of the board of directors of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), founder of the fund for the development of this sport.
Honorary citizen of the city of Almaty.
4. Timur Turlov
Fintech, 36 years old
Timur Turlov is the founder and majority shareholder of the investment group Freedom Holding Corp., which operates in Kazakhstan through Freedom Finance JSC, which is the sole shareholder of Freedom Bank Kazakhstan JSC, Freedom Finance Insurance JSC, Company with Freedom Life insurance. Freedom Drive, Freedom Mobile, Freedom Ticketon, Freedom Telecom, Aviata, Chocotravel, etc. are also developing under the general brand of the group.
In June, Freedom Holding Corp. announced its results for the 2024 fiscal year ended March 31. According to the report, the company's revenue increased by 105% and reached $1,6 billion. Net profit was $375 million against $206 million a year earlier. The number of retail brokerage clients exceeded 500, due to which commission income increased by 35% to $440 million.
Businessman — CEO Freedom Holding Corp., Chairman of the Boards of Directors of Freedom Finance Insurance, Freedom Life, Freedom Bank Kazakhstan.
President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, member of the executive committee of the Kazakhstan Football Federation, co-founder and chairman of the board of trustees of the youth football league Freedom QJ League, board member of the Association of Financiers of Kazakhstan, chairman of the Advisory Committee of the UN Global Compact in Central Asia, participant of the Qalam educational project, member of the board of trustees of the Teach for Foundation Qazaqstan.
5. Nurlan Smagulov
Auto retail, mechanical engineering, development, 59 years old
Nurlan Smagulov is the founder and chairman of Astana Group, which includes Astana Motors, the MEGA mall chain (MEGA Alma-Ata, MEGA Park in Almaty, and MEGA Silk Way in Astana) and the MyCar project, which develops an ecosystem for car sales ( advertisement service, car centers, technical service, financing, bonus program).
Member of the board of directors of JSC "Mega Management", founder of the venture fund MyVentures, founder and member of the board of trustees of Nurlan Smagulov Foundation, member of the coordination board of the Union of Machine Builders of Kazakhstan. Honorary citizen of the city of Almaty.
It is building a network of EZS
In September of this year, Astana Group announced the launch of the MyCharge project, which aims to create an infrastructure of charging stations for electric cars. The technical basis is provided by TELD Energy Co. — one of China's largest players in the industry, with which Astana Motors concluded an agreement in 2023. According to the official website of the service, four charging stations have been opened today, where equipment from 80 to 480 kW with GBT and CCS2 connector standards is installed. It is planned to invest 5,8 billion tenge in the development of the network of electric charging stations.
6. Mykhailo Lomtadze
Fintech, 48 years old
Mykhailo Lomtadze is a shareholder, member of the board of directors and chairman of the board of JSC "Kaspi.kz", shareholder of Kolesa Group. In the summer, after Kaspi Magazin LLC became a shareholder of Kolesa JSC, it transferred 11% of its 48,42% in trust to a new shareholder, thanks to which Kaspi gained control and strengthened its classifieds direction.
This year it became known that Blue Ocean Partners II Limited, owned by Lomtadze, acquired 90% of the English football club Wycombe Wanderers. The club was founded in 1887 and its home stadium, Adams Park, is located in the town of High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, north-west of London. The businessman joined the club's board of directors.
Member of the Harvard Business School Middle East and North Africa Advisory Board. CEO of the year according to Kazakhstan Growth Forum.
7. Shukhrat Ibrahimov
HMC, finance, 38 years old
Shukhrat Ibragimov represents his family in the ERG group. On July 17, 2024, he headed the board of directors of the metallurgical holding, replacing Oleksandr Mashkevich, the company's co-founder, in this position.
The businessman is the chairman of the board of directors of JSC Eurasia Insurance Company, a member of the board of directors of JSC Eurasian Financial Company and JSC Eurasian Bank, chairman of the supervisory board of Eurasian Resources Group. Co-organizer of the Asian World Film Festival in Los Angeles.
This summer, there were other changes in the board of directors of Eurasian Resources Group: a citizen of Russia and Belgium, Eduard Surlevich, was elected instead of Mashkevich, and his son Sabir Shodiyev was elected instead of Patoh Shodiyev. The Government of Kazakhstan is represented in the Council by Vice Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin and Minister of Finance Madi Takiyev.
8. Timur Kulibaev
Diversified business, 58 years
Timur Kulibayev together with his wife Dinara Kulibaeva owns ALMEX Holding Group JSC, through which they have a 69,52% stake in Narodny Bank Kazakhstan JSC, which owns a 40% stake in Altyn Bank JSC. The group operates in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Georgia.
The billionaire also owns the multi-specialty LLC "Kypros", whose group includes shares in the Viled and Emdeu groups, LLC "K-Agro-Holding" and LLC "Joint Technologies". The structure of the latter includes shares in "Chamor Management" LLC, "PetroRetail" LLC (QazaqOil gas station network), "SilkwayTransit" LLC, "PTC Holding" LLC, "Petrolex Group" LLC and others.
"Mercury Properties" LLC, controlled by Kulibaev, manages more than 1 million square meters. m of commercial space in Almaty, Astana, Atyrau, Shymkent, Aktau, Aktobe and other cities.
Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia
9. Andriy Lavrentiev
Autoretail, mechanical engineering, MMC, 45 years old
Andriy Lavrentiev is the second largest shareholder of the "Alyur" group of companies, whose structures include the production LLC "SariarkaAvtoProm", LLC "Agromashholding" and a wide network of sales centers. The group is the official manufacturer, distributor and partner in Kazakhstan of Chevrolet, Kia, JAC, Jetour, Skoda and Hongqi car brands.
The businessman also owns 55% in JSC Agromashholding KZ, which is engaged in the production of agricultural machinery of the brands Essil, Deutz-Fahr, Lovol, and Kirovets.
Through the company QSG Holding Limited is the sole owner of JSC Qarmet (former ArcelorMittal Temirtau). This year, the company announced plans for the development of the enterprise, for the implementation of which more than $3,5 billion will be invested. Additionally, investments in the coal and iron ore departments are planned in the amount of up to $500 million and up to $978 million, respectively. The company claims that the implementation of such a strategy can increase the volume of steel production to 5 million tons per year, coal production to 9 million tons, and iron ore concentrate to 5 million tons.
Lavrentiev is the chairman of the board of directors of Allur group of companies and JSC Qarmet, member of the board of directors of JSC Agromashholding KZ, member of the coordinating council of the Union of Machine Builders of Kazakhstan, president of the triathlon federation of Kostanay region, member of YPO Kazakhstan, member of the iQanat and D.
Increased stake in DK "Alyur"
In March 2023, Yuriy Tshai sold 16,52% of the shares of Alyur Group of Companies JSC, which belonged directly to him, to Space Leader Corporation LLC, the founders of which are Andrii Lavrentiev with a 75% share and Tshai himself with a 25% share. The amount of the deal was not specified in the company's report. Thus, Lavrentiev's share in the group increased from 27,48% to 39,87% of shares.
10. Aydin Rakhimbaev
Construction, 52 years
Aydin Rakhimbaev is a shareholder and chairman of the board of directors of the BI Group holding. Initiator and co-founder together with Dauren Zhaksybek and Armanzhan Baytasov (No. 20 of the rating) of the IQanat educational project, co-founder with Berik Kaniev (No. 29) and member of the Board of Directors of the Quantum STEM Schools network, founder of the public funds "National Agency of Mothers", member of YPO Kazakhstan .
In the winter of 2024, Rakhimbaev together with Arsen Tomskyi (No. 18) founded the Mother's Home International Foundation. This project is a development of the "Mother's House" project already known in Kazakhstan, but now at the international level. Yes, two "mother's houses" were opened in Tashkent. Launches in Malaysia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan are planned.
11. Eduard Ohai
Metals, 54 years old
Eduard Ohai is the chairman of the board of directors of Kazakhmys Holding LLC, a member of the board of directors of Kazakhmys Copper JSC.
Owner of 30% in Kazakhmys Coal LLC and Kazakhmys Copper JSC, which includes Kazakhmys Corporation LLC.
Together with his children, he is the majority owner (70% of shares) of JSC "Karazhyra", which develops the coal deposit of the same name in the Abay region.
12. Kenes Rakishev
Diversified business, 45 years
Kenes Rakishev is the owner of Fincraft Group, through which he owns a majority stake in Fincraft Resources JSC, whose structures include Ertis Ferronickel Combine LLC, shares in ARK Petroleum LLC and Central Asian Investment Consulting Company LLC.
The businessman is the president of Fincraft Group, the chairman of the board of directors of JSC "Fincraft Resources". Honorary President of the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation, member of the Board of Trustees of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation. The founder of a private school named after Shokana Valikhanova in Almaty and co-founder of the "Sabi" charitable foundation.
Sold "gypsum" and part of "nickel"
In September 2023, Fincraft Resources sold its subsidiary Inder Gypsum, which mined gypsum stone and processed it at its own facility. The report states that "in connection with the unprofitable activity of Inder Gypsum, as well as a number of factors that have a negative impact in the medium term, the company sold 100% of the participation in Inder Gypsum for 100 tenge." At the same time, the loss for the year 2023 before the disposal date amounted to 466,2 million tenge.
Today, the sole founder of this company is the Russian Volma LLC. On the website of the latter, it is indicated that its production unit includes a gypsum deposit and a plant near the village of Inderborskyi in the Atyrau region. This is already the ninth plant in the group and the first in Kazakhstan. "Volma" is engaged in the production of dry construction mixtures, plasterboard, etc.
Meanwhile, LLC "Kaznickel", which is engaged in the exploration of cobalt-nickel ores of the Gornostaevskoye deposit in the VKO, changed the Singaporean parent company Battery Metals Technologies to the local BMT Nico Ltd, registered in the AIFC. The latter is part of the structure of the Fincraft Resources group. In both companies, the beneficiary is Kenes Rakishev.
From the report of the Fincraft Resources holding company, it became known that in January 2023, a decision was made to accept a new participant - Mining Technologies Company LLC - as a member of Kaznickel LLC. The new co-owner received a 26% share of the company for 4,7 billion tenge, which was added to the authorized capital. Accordingly, the entire company was valued at approximately 18,08 billion tenge (about $39,1 million) on the date of the decision.
LLC "Mining Technologies Company" has five founders - Margulan Abekov (director of LLC "Kaznickel"), Erlan Idrisov (former chairman of the board of Fincraft Resources), Maksat Kantbekli, Arman Nurkeev and Marat Tayshibaev.
13. Galimzhan Yesenov
Finance, 42 years old
Galimzhan Yesenov directly and indirectly owns the majority share of JSC "First Heartland Jusan Bank" through JSC "First Heartland Securities", where he is the sole shareholder. Through Jusan Bank, he has minority shares in Kazakhtelecom JSC and Kcell JSC. In the latter, the businessman also has direct and indirect shares, and the total ownership share exceeds 20%. In addition, its business structures include JSC "Jusan Mobile" and LLC "JFood Kazakhstan" (former LLC "Concern Cesna-Astick").
Chairman of the board of directors of JSC First Heartland Securities and JSC First Heartland Jusan Bank. Founder of the research and educational fund Shakhmardan Yessenov Foundation, founder and chairman of the board of trustees of the Courage to Be the First Foundation, the organizer of the annual "Almaty Marathon", co-founder of the Almaty Triathlon Federation, a participant in the "Mother's House" project.
14. Oleksandr Bilovich
Construction, 69 years old
Oleksandr Bilovych is the founder and chairman of the board of directors of the Bazis-A corporation, which he owns together with his son Pavel.
15. Yerkin Tatishev
Diversified business, 48 years
Yerkin Tatishev is a co-owner and chairman of the board of directors of Kusto Group.
Co-founder and chairman of the board of trustees of the Public Foundation named after Yerzhana Tatisheva, co-founder and head of the NGO "Kazakhstan Federation of Kendo and Iaido", member of the board of trustees of AlmaU, co-founder and member of the board of trustees of High Tech Academy, member of the board of trustees of the public foundation "Mercy Voluntary Society".
Kusto Group's oil division, represented by Kazpetrol Group, in the first quarter of 2023 acquired 50% in companies engaged in wholesale and retail trade in petroleum products: Taur Trading LLC, Sky Oil Company, Nova AZS LLC. In 2024, the group increased its shares in Taur Trading LLC and Nova AZS LLC by another 40%.
16. Raimbek Batalov
FMCG, investment, 53 years
Raimbek Batalov is the owner and chairman of the board of directors of the Raimbek Group holding, which includes Raimbek Agro, Raimbek Bottlers Group, and Pure Pack.
Chairman of the Presidium and at. chairman of the board of NVP "Atameken", member of the board of directors - independent director of JSC "FRP "Damu", member of the Council of Foreign Investors under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, member of the National Kurultay and the Council of National Investors under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, chairman of the Business Council of the SCO from Kazakhstan, the Association "Forum of Entrepreneurs Kazakhstan".
Head of the Underwater Sports Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, President of the Kazakhstan Cycling Federation, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Enactus Kazakhstan, co-founder of Chaatar Center for Legal Support and NGO "Cycling Federation "Veloclub" in the city of Almaty"
17. Oleg Novachuk
Metals, 53 years old
Oleh Novachuk is the chairman of the board of directors of Nova Resources BV, through which he owns 36,5% of KAZ Minerals Ltd. In addition, he solely owns the investment and financial company Finaccord Limited, registered in the AIFC.
18. Arsen Tomskyi
IT, 50 years
Arsen Tomskyi is the founder and shareholder of the ride-hailing service InDrive. The mobile application works in 779 cities in 46 countries of the world. In addition to taxis, the service offers the services of couriers and handymen for household needs.
In 2022, the businessman relocated the company's office from Yakutsk to Almaty. At the end of 2023, he received the citizenship of Kazakhstan.
19. Bakhitbek of the Bayseites
Banks, investments, oil service, 66 years old
Bakhitbek Baiseitov is the owner of 48,47% of Bank CenterCredit JSC and investment JSC BCC Invest. He also owns 100% of JSC "Orient Invest Group", LLC "Petrogaz AG", LLC "International Jet Tour" and a share in the magazine "Banks of Kazakhstan".
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bank CenterCredit JSC and BCC Invest JSC. President of the Association of Banks of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
20. Armanzhan Baytasov
Media, telecom, development, 54 years old
Armanzhan Baitasov is the publisher of Forbes Kazakhstan magazine. Owns shares in Citix, as well as Tan Media Group and United Media Group, which include MuzzOne TV channel, Business-FM radio station, Businessfm.kz website, Forbes Georgia magazine, Arbat Media company, and others. Co-founder of Kazakhstan Media Alliance. Leads his own author's project Baitassov Live on YouTube.
Businessman - chairman of the board of directors of Tan Media Group and member of the board of directors of KazNU named after Al-Farabi. Co-founder of the educational project IQanat, general producer of the international festival "Asia Dawisi", co-founder of the business club Parasat, member of YPO Kazakhstan.
21. Kanat Kopbaev
Diversified business, 48 years
Kanat Kopbaev is the managing director and member of the board of directors of Kusto Group. Manages the construction segment of the holding, which includes the Israeli paint and varnish factory Tambour and the construction company Coteccons Construction in Vietnam.
In Kazakhstan, Kusto Group owns the oil company "Kazpetrol Group", the Compass gas station chain, the construction company "Kusto Home", the "Semey Tannery" leather factory, the "KazCenosphere's" factory in Pavlodar, and the Wendy's franchise.
The businessman is a co-founder of the High Tech Academy, a member of YPO Kazakhstan, the president of RGO "Federation "Bayge", a participant of the educational project IQanat, a member of the board of trustees of KazGASA.
22. Aidan Karibzhanov
Investments, energy, 52 years old
Aidan Karibzhanov is the majority owner of Visor Kazakhstan LLC. In the spring of this year, the Visor International DMCC investment group bought 100% of the shares of Khalyk Bank Kyrgyzstan. In addition, the businessman owns shares in LLC "Aua Energy", LLC "Greencity KZ", LLC "Northern Wind Kazakhstan" and LLC "Sarma Energy" for the production of electricity by wind power plants, a share in LLC "Teniz Service" (through Waterford International).
One of the shareholders of Haileybury School Almaty, member of the Board of Trustees of the Aspandau Foundation, co-founder of the Hydrogen Energy Association.
23. Edward Kim
Retail, 59 years old
Eduard Kim is the founder and owner of JSC "Technodom Operator", represented by the Technodom network in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Has shares in Company Phaeton LLC, Technodim Service LLC, and Technofitness LLC, owns the Airba Fresh marketplace in Almaty.
Co-founder of the Union of Trade Networks of the Republic of Kazakhstan, participant of the charity project "Mother's House", co-founder of the National Adoption Agency.
24. Daniyar Abulgazin
Diversified business, 54 years old
Daniyar Abulgazin's family owns shares in Qazaq Oil, SinoOil and Gas Energy gas station chains, PTC Operator LLC, Petroleum LLC, RTI-ANPZ LLC, and SilkwayTransit LLC. Also, through the ADD Invest Properties company, together with the Kulibayevs, he manages the Keruen city Astana shopping center, Keruen shopping center, Talan Towers shopping center in the capital, Baizaar mall shopping center in Atyrau, and Keruen city Aktobe shopping center. His family owns shares in "Viled Group" LLC, "Viled International" LLC, "Viled Fashion" LLC.
The Abulgazins are the founders of the "Ayala" charitable foundation.
The businessman himself is the vice-president for summer sports of the NOC of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the president of the Table Tennis Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the chairman of the Confederation of Martial Arts and Power Sports, a member of the board of trustees of the NGO "Almaty Triathlon Federation", a member of the board of trustees of the PF "Fizmat Endowment Fund".
25. Kairat Mazhybaev
FMCG, 56 years old
Kairat Mazhybaev owns 98,05% of JSC "RG Brands", which has subsidiaries in Russia and Kyrgyzstan.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of RG Brands, Chairman of the Trade Committee of the Presidium of the Atameken State Enterprise, Chairman and co-founder of the Respublika Foundation charitable fund.
26. Dinmukhamet Idrisov
Diversified business, 59 years
Dinmukhamet Idrisov owns Ordabasy Group, through which he manages shares in JSC "Ushko", JSC "Aktyubinsky Oil Equipment Plant", JSC "Kundybai Mining", LLC "Mining Company "Keregetas".
Owns LLC "Kazakhstan Communal Systems", which operates in the Mangistau, Karaganda, Turkestan and East Kazakhstan regions.
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of "Kazakhstan Communal Systems" LLC.
27. Almas Sultangazin
Retail, 60 years old
Almas Sultangazin owns majority shares in Sulpak and Alser retail chains.
Has shares in ST Networks LLC, which is engaged in the distribution of telecommunications and IT equipment, in Hero Study KZ LLC and Sulpak Cinema LLC, which is the Kazakh representative of international companies Warner Bros., Universal and Paramount Pictures.
28. Kairat Itemgenov
Diversified business, 53 years old
Kairat Itemgenov is the chairman of the supervisory board and the majority shareholder of Aqniet Group LLC, which manages pharmacy chains under the Europharma and ArzanPharm brands. It also owns TOO KBI Energy, TOO Satti Logistics, Greenhouse-Qaztomat greenhouse complex, Mövenpick and Pana hotels in Moscow, hotel complex under the Novotel Living and Ibis Style brands in Almaty. It owns a share of Globaltrans, which is engaged in freight rail transportation on the territory of the CIS countries. Globaltrans earned 2023 billion rubles ($38,6 million) in net profit in 430,4.
29. Berik Kaniev
Diversified business, 54 years old
Berik Kaniev is a shareholder and chairman of the board of directors of Lancaster Group, which includes the oil service company Air Sai Caspian Contractor, Ersai Seaport LLC, Zhandig-S LLC and others, the Quantum STEM School network (a joint project with BI Group ), Abdi Ibrahim Global Pharm (together with Turkish Abdi Ibrahim). The businessman also owns shares in JSC "Zhaltyrbulak", LLC "Mountain Breeze" (hotel services) and the children's and youth football center Jas Qyran.
Chairman of the board of directors and member of the board of trustees of NAO "RFMSh", co-founder of the public fund Fizmat Endowment Fund, founder and chairman of the board of the football club "Arlan", president of the republican league of children's and youth football "Zhas Kiran", chairman of the committee of children's and youth football of Kazakhstan, founder public fund "Airvision.kz". Member of YPO Kazakhstan, participant of the IQanat educational project, co-founder of the Nurlan Kapparov Public Foundation, trustee of the Mother's House charity fund, one of the founders of the Nurlan Kapparov Alumni Scholarship Fund at the Harvard Kennedy School of Public Administration. Member of the presidium of the Atameken NVP, president of the Kazakhstan Golf Federation.
30. Eldar Abdrazakov
Insurance business, finance, 51 years old
Eldar Abdrazakov owns the Centras Group holding, which includes insurance companies Kommesk-Omir, Centras Commesk Life, Centras Insurance, as well as financial JSC Centras Securities, LLC Centras Capital and JSC Venture Fund » ».
Member of the boards of directors of JSC "Kazakhstan Stock Exchange" (KASE), JSC "Air Astana". Founder of the Kazakhstan Growth Forum, initiator of the Professionalize Kazakhstan youth educational project.
31. Margulan Seisembaev
Investments, 57 years
Margulan Seisembayev is the managing partner of Asadel Partners PEF Pte Ltd., through which he has shares in Tamos Education LLC, Viz My Industry LLC and other companies. Also, together with his wife, he controls 33% of JSC "Alel Agro" through Seimar Ltd. and Agros Ltd.
One of the shareholders of the Haileybury Almaty school. The owner of author's educational business courses and a business club. Runs a channel on YouTube.
32. Serik Tolucpaev
Poultry farming, 53 years
Serik Tolucpaev is the majority shareholder and member of the board of directors of the Aitas KZ group of companies, which includes more than 15 enterprises in the field of poultry meat production, processing and distribution. Among them are the Makinsk poultry farm in the Akmola region, Ust-Kamenogorsk in the VKO, and Almaty breeding poultry breeder. Products are produced under the brands "Kus&Smak" and "AMP". In addition, the group includes plant growing enterprises with 32 thousand hectares of land.
The businessman is a co-founder of the "Sustainable Development of Rural Areas", "Sustainable Development of Education" and "Sustainable Development of the Katon-Karagai District" funds.
33. Volodymyr Denisov
Air transport, 64 years
Volodymyr Denisov is the majority shareholder and president of JSC Scat Airlines, through which he controls the international airport Aulie-Ata in Taraz and JSC Pivdenne Nebo, which is engaged in regional flights. This year, the airline became a trustee of 100% of Shymkent Airport JSC until 2034. The company also owns 40% of Red Sea Airlines from Egypt.
The businessman is a member of the regional council of the Shymkent Chamber of Entrepreneurs.
34. Ivan Sauer
Agriculture, 66 years old
Ivan Sauer is the owner and general director of Agrofirma Batkivshchyna LLC. Owner of "Astana-Nan" LLC (agrochemistry), "Tastak" LLC (grain storage), "AF-Otan" LLC (growing of cereals and legumes).
Member of the Public Council of JSC "National Company "Food Contract Corporation" and the Board of Trustees of PF "Chazakstan Khalkina".
35. Serikzhan Seitzhanov
Diversified business, 75 years
The Seitzhanov family owns Ontustik FTPC, through which it owns 51% of Souths Oil LLC, the Smart-Oil drilling company, the construction LLC MunayKurilisService, the Standard Cement plant, and the chemical part of Standard Petroleum & Co LLC.
The family also owns the Rixos Khadisha Shymkent and Rixos Turkestan hotels, the Satti Zhol gas station chain, the South Kazakhstan Medical Academy and the Innovation and Technology College in Shymkent.
The businessman is the president of "Ontustik" and "Souths-Oil" FTPC. Founder of the Serikzhan Seitzhanov Charitable Foundation.
36. Sergey Kan
Diversified business, 56 years
Serhiy Kan, together with Oleksandr Klebanov (No. 37 of the rating), owns shares in JSC "TsATEK" and JSC "TsAEK", together with his son Yakov - shares in the shipping JSC "Circle Maritime Invest", Hotel Rixos Almaty and LLC "Tengiz Star". Shareholder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of JSC "Kazakh Institute of Oil and Gas". Member of the Board of Trustees of the Association of Koreans of Kazakhstan, participant of the IQanat educational project.
37. Oleksandr Klebanov
Diversified business, 61 years old
Oleksandr Klebanov owns 47,10% of JSC TSAEK, through which he controls JSC Pavlodarenergo, JSC Sevkazenergo, JSC Akmolinska REK, which are engaged in the production, transmission, distribution and sale of electric and thermal energy in the respective regions.
His son, Yakiv Klebanov, together with Serhii Kan (No. 36 in the rating) owns JSC "Circle Maritime Invest", which is engaged in maritime and coastal transportation.
This year, the businessman left the positions of chairman of the boards of directors of TsATEK JSC and TSAEK JSC.
38. Saidulla Kozhabaev
Mechanical engineering, 65 years old
Saidulla Kozhabaev is the founder and majority owner of Alageum Group, which includes JSC Kentau Transformer Plant, LLC Ural Transformer Plant, LLC Aktau Transformer Plant, LLC Almaty Electromechanical Plant, JSC Elektromontazh, JSC Elektromontazh and plant for the production of high-voltage transformer equipment Asia Trafo in Shymkent.
The businessman is the chairman of the supervisory board of Alageum Group.
The company was the general sponsor of the V World Nomad Games in Astana.
39. Farrukh Mahmudov
Diversified business, 48 years
Farrukh Mahmudov is the founder and chairman of the board of directors of the multidisciplinary group of companies Orbis Kazakhstan. Orbis Auto is a dealer network represented by 60 salons in 12 cities of Kazakhstan, with a portfolio of 15 car brands. Orbis Machinery is a distributor of commercial, warehouse and other machinery. Orbis Heavy Machinery is a multi-brand plant in Astana that produces special equipment. The structure of the group also includes oil service JSC "Aksaygazservice", leasing LLC "Avtodim", Orbis Agro, which is engaged in trading and agribusiness, Hotel Almaty and others.
In March of this year, the company signed a memorandum with the Chinese concern Yibin Kaiyi Automobile. The agreement will allow the production of a full cycle of KAIYI brand cars to be launched at the future Orbis Manufacturing plant in the industrial zone of Almaty.
40. Almas Minbaev
Insurance, phosphates, 50 years
Almas Minbayev is the sole shareholder and chairman of the board of directors of Nomad Life and Nomad Insurance insurance companies.
He also solely owns Nomad Digital Financial Services LLC and the British Sunkar Resources Limited, which develops the Chilisai deposit of phosphorites in the Aktobe region through its subsidiary Temir-Service LLC.
41. Gauhar Kapparova
Diversified business, 49 years
Gauhar Kapparova together with his son owns a share in Lancaster Group. Co-founder of the distributor of branded clothing LLC "G and G Glamor", through which he has shares in LLC "MaxGlamour". Shares in "Green production" LLC (crude oil production).
Member of the board of directors of Lancaster Group. Member of YPO Kazakhstan, co-founder of the Nurlan Kapparova public fund, participant of the IQanat educational project.
42. Eldar Sarsenov
Finance, 39 years old
Eldar Sarsenov is the only member of LLC "JP Finance Group", through which he owns a majority stake in JSC "Nurbank". The sole shareholder of Victoria Insurance Company JSC.
Together with his family, he owns a share in the oil service LLC "Techno Trading Ltd", which is engaged in geophysical and blasting works in oil and gas wells, as well as repair of oil industry equipment.
Businessman - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Victoria Insurance Company JSC, member of the Board of Directors of Nurbank JSC, member of YPO Kazakhstan, participant of the IQanat educational project.
43. Erlik Balfanbaev
Construction industry, 60 years
Erlik Balfanbayev is the founder of the Alina group of companies with the AlineX brand of dry construction mixes. The businessman owns the all-season resort Oi-Qaragai near Almaty.
44. And Zhandosov
Consulting, energy, 62 years old
Oraz Zhandosov is a co-owner of Rakurs Consulting Group LLC and Eneverse KunKuat LLC (solar power plant).
Member of the board of directors of JSC "Leasing Group", member of the board of directors — independent director of JSC "Golden Compass Capital", member of the presidium of NVP "Atameken". Member of the Advisory Board of the Association of Financiers of Kazakhstan. Member of the Board of Trustees of the Aspandau Foundation.
45. Almas Chukin
Investments, 63 years
Almas Chukin is a managing partner of the Visor investment company. Owned by VSKN LLC and 3 Element LLC.
Member of the Board of the Ministry of National Economy of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Board of Trustees of the American University of Central Asia (Bishkek).
46. Marat Zhuman
Transport, 48 years old
Marat Zhuman is the founder and owner of the international transport and logistics holding Atasu Group, which operates in 30 countries. In Kazakhstan, the company has three transport and logistics terminals, its own fleet of railway cars, locomotives and freight vehicles. The entrepreneur is a member of the Parasat business club, IQanat educational project, YPO Kazakhstan. President of RGO "Federation "Audarispak".
47. Volodymyr Djumanbaev
Metals, 51 years old
Volodymyr Djumanbayev owns a large share in JSC Altynalmas, JSC Mining and Metallurgical Concern Kazakhstan, JSC Karazhira, JSC Benkala Mining and Ore Company. The sole founder of VertexHolding LLC, through which he indirectly owns a stake in Interfax-Kazakhstan Information Agency LLC.
Chairman of the board of directors of JSC "AK Altinalmas", director of fuel and energy complex management of LLC "Kazakhmys Holding".
48. Marat Bakkulov
Mechanical engineering, 51 years old
Marat Bakkulov is the founder and owner of "AVZ" LLC ("Almaty Ventilator Plant"), the only enterprise in Kazakhstan for the production of ventilation equipment and climatic equipment.
In 2024, AVZ created a joint venture with the largest South Korean manufacturer of climate systems, Hi Air Korea. The Hi Air Kazakhstan company will produce equipment for global oil and gas corporations operating in Central Asia at the new plant in Almaty.
At the Growth Forum 2024 held in September, Bakkulov was announced as the winner in the "CEO of the Year" nomination.
Chairman of the board of directors of "AVZ" LLC, member of the presidium of the "Atameken" NVP, chairman of the board of the Union of the Manufacturing Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
49. Marat Sarsenov
Transport, 57 years old
Marat Sarsenov is the majority owner of the largest private operator of railway transportation, LLC "Istkomtrans".
The businessman owns shares in "Budan" LLC (growing of grain and leguminous crops), "Prodresurs" LLC and "Toboltrans" LLC (transport and forwarding services).
Co-founder of the Zhakiya Charitable Foundation.
50. Rouan Kenjehanuli
Edtech, 45 years old
Rauan Kenjehanuli is the founder of Bilim Media Group, which works in the field of e-learning.
Since June 2017, he has been the executive director of the NGO "National Translation Bureau Foundation". Implemented a number of educational projects aimed at the development of educational and educational content in the Kazakh language, in particular the Kazakh section of Wikipedia, the introduction of the Kazakh language into the Google Translate system, the translation of TED lectures into Kazakh, the creation of an open library of Kazakhstan Kitap.kz
The businessman is a member of the National Council of Public Trust under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NSOD), a member of the National Kurultay under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the president of the NGO "International Foundation of the Kazakh Language", the chairman of YPO Kazakhstan, a participant in the IQanat educational project.
Source Forbes Kazakhstan.
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