In 2026, two Kazakhstani entrepreneurs, Nurlan Smagulov (on photo) and Aydin Rakhimbayev, were included on the list of the world's billionaires for the first time, Forbes.kz reports.
Forbes Global has published its list of the world's billionaires for 2026. It includes over 3,400 businessmen with an estimated net worth of $1 billion or more.
The American publication estimated Nurlan Smagulov's net worth (No. 8 on Forbes Kazakhstan's 2025 list of the 75 richest businessmen in Kazakhstan, with a net worth of $990 million) at $1.3 billion, placing him 2,858th.
Aydin Rakhimbayev, according to Forbes.com, has a net worth of $1.1 billion, placing him 3,185th on the global billionaire list. In the 2025 Forbes Kazakhstan list of the 75 richest businessmen in Kazakhstan, he ranked 10th with a net worth of $967 million.
Among Kazakhstani entrepreneurs on the Forbes list, Vyacheslav Kim retained his position as the country's richest businessman. The chairman of the board of directors of Kaspi.kz has an estimated net worth of $7.8 billion, placing him 477th. Last year, Forbes estimated his assets at $7.1 billion.
Vladimir Kim (ranked 712th on the Forbes list) has increased his net worth by $200 million this year, now with an estimated net worth of $5.9 billion.
Timur and Dinara Kulibayev ranked 780th on the list. Forbes estimates their net worth at $5.4 billion each, a $100 million increase compared to the previous year.
Bulat Utemuratov also ranks 780th on the global billionaires list. According to Forbes, the businessman has seen his net worth rapidly increase over the past year: in 2025, the publication valued him at $3.7 billion, while this year, he has already caught up with the Kulibayevs, also worth $5.4 billion.
Timur Turlov, according to the list, has seen his net worth decline slightly this year. In 2025, Forbes estimated his net worth at $5.8 billion, and this year, at $5.2 billion. This placed him 823rd on the global billionaires list.
Another businessman with direct ties to Kazakhstan, but listed as a Georgian businessman on the Forbes list, Mikhail Lomtadze, ranks 694th on the global billionaires list. Vyacheslav Kim's business partner's net worth is estimated at $6 billion. Last year, his assets were valued at $5.9 billion.
Elon Musk tops the billionaire rankings. Compared to last year's list, his net worth has more than doubled—$839 billion versus $342 billion.
Larry Page is second with $257 billion, Sergey Brin is third with $237 billion, Jeff Bezos is fourth with $224 billion, and Mark Zuckerberg is fifth with $222 billion.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
March 12, 2026