In 2025, Forbes Kazakhstan once again named Vyacheslav Kim the richest person in the country. His fortune reached 7.1 billion US dollars, which is 1.3 billion more than the previous year. This is not just a number in a ranking — behind it lies almost thirty years of entrepreneurial journey, strategic decisions, and the ability to anticipate trends.

FROM ELECTRONICS TO A DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM

Kim took his first steps in business in the 1990s. He began with electronics retail, developing the Planeta Elektroniki store chain, which by the mid-2000s had become one of the market leaders in Kazakhstan. However, the real breakthrough came in 2002, when he joined the capital of Kaspiyskiy Bank. Together with partners, including the Baring Vostok fund and Mikhail Lomtadze, he began transforming a traditional bank into a powerful digital platform. This gave rise to Kaspi.kz — an ecosystem that today unites finance, a marketplace, and online services for millions of users.

REACHING THE GLOBAL STAGE

In 2020, Kaspi.kz went public on the London Stock Exchange, and in 2024 — on NASDAQ. These steps not only strengthened the company’s position on the international stage but also made Kim one of the most prominent entrepreneurs in Central Asia. Today, he owns about 23.4% of Kaspi.kz shares, and his investment portfolio includes stakes in Alseco, Eltop Soft, Astana-ERC, and the Magnum Cash & Carry retail chain.

SOCIAL AND SPORTS MISSION

Vyacheslav Kim is known not only as a businessman but also as someone actively involved in public life. For more than ten years, he headed the National Taekwondo Federation, contributing to the development of sports in the country. His charitable projects cover a wide range of areas: helping children with autism, equipping hospitals with ventilators, purchasing ambulances, and supporting small businesses during crisis periods.

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS

For his contribution to the development of Kazakhstan, Kim has been awarded the Kurmet and Parasat orders, the Barys Order (Second Class), and has also received the title of Honorary Citizen of Almaty. These awards are a symbol of recognition of his role in the country’s economy and public life.