Timur Kulibayev

Timur Kulibayev, born on September 10, 1966, is a prominent Kazakh businessman and influential figure in the nation's political and economic landscape. Known as Kazakhstan's 'Oil Prince,' he has established significant connections with the country's political elites and state-owned energy companies, which play a crucial role in managing Kazakhstan's natural resources.

As the son-in-law of former Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kulibayev held several high-ranking positions during Nazarbayev's administration. His leadership extended to key state-owned enterprises, including his role as the former head of Samruk-Kazyna, Kazakhstan's sovereign wealth fund, which oversees the nation's vast hydrocarbon industry.

In addition to his domestic influence, Kulibayev served on the Board of Directors of Gazprom, Russia's largest energy company, from 2011 to 2022. His business dealings have not been without controversy; in 2020, the Financial Times reported his involvement in schemes that allegedly skimmed tens of millions of dollars from state contracts related to pipeline construction.

With an estimated wealth exceeding ten billion dollars, Kulibayev and his wife are recognized as some of the wealthiest individuals in Kazakhstan. The Daily Telegraph has referred to him as 'the most important business figure' in the Republic of Kazakhstan, underscoring his significant impact on the country's economy.