Top 6 Richest Men In Kazakhstan According To Forbes (2025)

Kazakhstan, the largest landlocked country in the world, is often associated with its vast steppes, rich cultural history, and strategic position between Europe and Asia. But in the world of business and finance, it has quietly been producing some of the wealthiest individuals in the region — and indeed the world.

From mining magnates to fintech pioneers, Kazakhstan’s billionaires represent industries that are not only crucial to the local economy but also deeply connected to global markets. According to the 2025 Forbes Billionaires List, these six individuals dominate Kazakhstan’s financial landscape, with fortunes built on resource extraction, banking, investments, and innovative finance.

Let’s dive into the Top 6 Richest Men in Kazakhstan and explore their paths to wealth, their industries, and their impact on the country’s economy.

1. Vyacheslav Kim – $7.1 Billion

• Age: 55

• Industry: Finance & Investments (Fintech)

Vyacheslav Kim is one of Kazakhstan’s most prominent business figures and a trailblazer in the financial technology space. Best known for his role as a co-founder and key shareholder of Kaspi.kz, Kazakhstan’s largest digital ecosystem, Kim has been instrumental in transforming how people in the country access banking and payments.

Kaspi.kz offers everything from mobile payments and online shopping to loan services, and under Kim’s guidance, it has grown into a fintech giant with a presence extending beyond Kazakhstan. The company’s success can be attributed to its user-friendly technology, deep integration into everyday financial activities, and a strong focus on convenience.

Kim’s story is one of seizing the moment when Kazakhstan’s digital economy was still in its infancy. Today, his influence extends into other sectors through investments, but fintech remains his crown jewel.

2. Timur Turlov – $5.8 Billion

• Age: 37

• Industry: Finance & Investments (Stock Brokerage)

At just 37 years old, Timur Turlov stands out not only for his wealth but also for his age. He is the founder and CEO of Freedom Holding Corp, a diversified financial services company headquartered in Kazakhstan but with a global reach. Listed on the NASDAQ, Freedom Holding offers brokerage, banking, and insurance services across various markets.

Turlov has built his empire by capitalizing on Kazakhstan’s growing middle class and their increasing appetite for investment opportunities. His company has also expanded aggressively into international markets, particularly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

What makes Turlov’s rise even more impressive is his entrepreneurial drive at such a young age, positioning him as a symbol of Kazakhstan’s new generation of billionaires who are tech-savvy, globally oriented, and unafraid to challenge traditional banking models.

3. Vladimir Kim – $5.7 Billion

• Age: 64

• Industry: Metals & Mining

Mining has long been one of Kazakhstan’s key economic sectors, and Vladimir Kim is one of its undisputed kings. His wealth comes primarily from Kaz Minerals, a copper mining company with operations not only in Kazakhstan but also in other resource-rich regions.

Kim started in the mining industry in the 1990s, a time when Kazakhstan was transitioning from a Soviet economy to a market-driven system. He capitalized on privatization opportunities and steadily expanded his influence in the metals sector. Today, copper and other minerals from his operations feed global supply chains, especially in industries like electronics and renewable energy.

Vladimir Kim is also known for his philanthropic activities, funding educational and healthcare initiatives across the country.

4. Dinara Kulibaeva – $5.3 Billion

• Age: 57

• Industry: Finance & Investments (Banking)

Dinara Kulibaeva is one of the most influential women in Kazakhstan and one half of a power couple in the country’s financial elite. She holds a significant stake in Halyk Bank, Kazakhstan’s largest lender, and has played a major role in shaping its growth.

Halyk Bank’s influence in Kazakhstan’s banking sector cannot be overstated — it provides financial services to millions and has been a key driver of the country’s economic modernization. Kulibaeva’s leadership and investment strategies have helped the bank navigate economic fluctuations while expanding its portfolio.

Aside from her banking interests, she is involved in philanthropic projects, especially those aimed at improving education and healthcare.

5. Timur Kulibayev – $5.3 Billion

• Age: 58

• Industry: Finance & Investments (Banking)

Timur Kulibayev is Dinara Kulibaeva’s husband, making them Kazakhstan’s most famous billionaire couple. Like his wife, he has a substantial stake in Halyk Bank, but his business interests go far beyond banking. Kulibayev has deep connections in Kazakhstan’s energy sector, having served in leadership positions in national oil and gas companies.

He is known for his ability to bridge the worlds of politics and business, giving him significant influence over both public and private sector developments. His strategic investments in infrastructure and finance have positioned him as a key figure in shaping Kazakhstan’s economic direction.

6. Bulat Utemuratov – $3.7 Billion

• Age: 67

• Industry: Metals & Mining, Banking, Hotels

Bulat Utemuratov is a diversified billionaire with holdings across multiple industries. His fortune comes from a combination of mining, banking, and hospitality businesses. He has owned stakes in major banks, including a significant role in ATF Bank before selling it to UniCredit.

In mining, Utemuratov has interests in key Kazakh resource projects, while his hospitality ventures include luxury hotels catering to Kazakhstan’s growing tourism and business travel sectors.

Utemuratov is also a notable philanthropist, having donated millions to educational institutions, healthcare initiatives, and disaster relief projects.

Key Takeaways – What Kazakhstan’s Billionaires Tell Us

The top 6 richest men in Kazakhstan showcase a nation whose wealth is built on both traditional and modern sectors:

• Natural Resources remain a cornerstone, with mining continuing to be a dominant source of billionaire wealth.

• Finance & Banking play a central role, with Halyk Bank as a recurring name among the elite.

• Fintech & Innovation are emerging as significant forces, represented by leaders like Vyacheslav Kim and Timur Turlov.

Kazakhstan’s billionaires are not just business figures — they are power players influencing policy, economic growth, and even social development in the country.

Final Thoughts

Kazakhstan may not be the first country that comes to mind when talking about global billionaires, but its ultra-wealthy individuals are increasingly visible on the world stage. With a unique blend of resource wealth, financial innovation, and strategic geographic positioning, Kazakhstan’s richest are likely to remain influential for years to come.

From Vyacheslav Kim’s fintech dominance to Vladimir Kim’s mining empire, and from the Kulibayev couple’s banking stronghold to Bulat Utemuratov’s diversified portfolio, these billionaires are shaping not only Kazakhstan’s economy but also its international business profile.