Erbolat Dosaev

Erbolat Dosaev
Born	(1970-05-21) May 21, 1970 Kazakhstan
Occupation(s)	Politician, Economist
Years active	1990s–2025
Known for	Äkim of Almaty (2022–2025), Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan (2019–2022), Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan (2017–2019), Minister of Finance, Healthcare, Economic Development and Trade, National Economy

Erbolat Asqarbekūly Dosaev ( , , ; born 21 May 1970) is a notable Kazakh political figure who held the position of äkim of Almaty from 2022 until 2025. Prior to this, he served as Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan between 2019 and 2022, and was the Deputy Prime Minister from 2017 to 2019. Throughout his career, Dosaev has occupied prominent ministerial posts in finance, healthcare, and economic development sectors.

With academic credentials in engineering and economics, Dosaev began his professional journey in the private industry during the 1990s before transitioning into governmental roles. In 2000, he took office as Minister of Energy, Industry, and Trade and later led the Agency for Regulation of Natural Monopolies, which managed state-owned infrastructure and utility services.

Between 2003 and 2004, he acted as Minister of Finance, concentrating on fiscal policies and budgetary reforms. From 2004 to 2006, he headed the Ministry of Healthcare, a tenure that concluded following a significant HIV crisis revealing deep-rooted problems within the healthcare system. After a period away from cabinet appointments, he reentered government in 2012 as Minister of Economic Development and Trade. When this ministry was reorganized in 2014, he assumed the role of Minister of National Economy, resigning in May 2016 amid widespread protests opposing land reform policies.

Following nationwide unrest on 31 January 2022, Dosaev was appointed äkım (mayor) of Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest metropolis. His leadership focused on stabilizing the city, advancing urban development strategies, enhancing public security, and upgrading infrastructure. In 2023, he championed the adoption of a polycentric urban growth plan for Almaty and implemented more rigorous regulations concerning construction and land usage.

Early life and education

Dosaev completed his studies at both the Almaty Energy Institute and Moscow State Technical University.

Political career

During the late 1990s, Dosaev held the position of First Deputy Minister of Energy, Industry and Trade. In 1998, he served as an advisor to the prime minister. By the year 2000, he advanced to deputy finance minister. In 2001, Dosaev was appointed chairman of the Development Bank of Kazakhstan and by November 2002 took on leadership of Kazakhstan's anti-trust authority.

In November 2012, Dosaev became a member of the ruling Nur Otan party; his membership card was presented by Economic Development and Trade Minister Bakhytzhan Sagintayev.

Minister of Finance (2003–2004)

In June 2003, President Nursultan Nazarbayev named Dosaev as Finance Minister. During this time frame, he also participated in activities with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and served on the board governing the National Bank of Kazakhstan.

Minister of Healthcare (2004–2006)

In 2005, Dosaev introduced a strategy aimed at enhancing Kazakhstan’s public health system by targeting improvements in life expectancy, reducing maternal and infant mortality rates, fighting tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, and strengthening fundamental medical services. From 2006 through 2010, he launched a US$53 million initiative dedicated to combating HIV/AIDS.

In 2006, Dosaev confirmed an outbreak of avian influenza in Mangystau Region that led to quarantine enforcement and vaccination efforts covering millions of domestic birds to control the H5N1 virus strain.

His term as Healthcare Minister ended after a scandal emerged involving the infection of 81 children with HIV due to poor sanitary conditions within healthcare facilities.

Minister of National Economy (2012–2016)

In September 2012, Dosaev was appointed as the Minister of Economic Development.

During his tenure, he managed the expansion efforts of TengizChevroil (TCO), Kazakhstan's leading oil producer. By December 2015, he revised the project’s budget to approximately US$30 billion, a reduction from the prior estimate of US$38 billion. The initiative aimed to increase oil output from 27 million tonnes in 2015 to 38 million tonnes by 2021.

Toward the end of 2015, Dosaev implemented reforms in the agricultural sector, which included modifying farm subsidy structures, improving crop insurance systems, and introducing electronic receipts to enhance efficiency and profitability within grain production. He identified agriculture as a key future economic growth sector, drawing inspiration from agricultural models in Australia and Brazil. These changes were consistent with government strategies to diversify the economy amid declining oil prices.

Dosaev also promoted a reduction in governmental economic intervention. In February 2016, he outlined plans for privatization and denationalization of state-owned assets with the objective of lowering the government's share in the economy to 15% by 2020.

He stepped down in May 2016 after widespread public demonstrations opposing a bill that permitted limited foreign leases on farmland. Although both he and President Nazarbayev defended the legislation as necessary and aligned with international standards, the protests compelled its retraction.

Baiterek

Dosaev formerly held the positions of chairman and CEO at Baiterek, a government-owned holding company specializing in banking and finance, founded in 2013. Originally designed to finance major economic development projects, Baiterek's scope broadened significantly to tackle challenges arising from lower oil prices. He assumed leadership in May 2016, succeeding Quandyq Bishimbaev. Concurrently, he chaired the board of KazExportGarant, a state enterprise providing export insurance.

In 2017, Dosaev took part in an international economic forum held in Beijing focused on China’s Belt and Road Initiative. There, he engaged with executives from prominent Chinese banks and financial institutions, culminating in several non-binding agreements and a joint venture between China Triumph International and Orda Glass to establish a sheet glass manufacturing facility in the Kyzylorda Region.

Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan (2017–2019)

On 29 August 2017, President Nazarbayev appointed Dosaev as Deputy Prime Minister alongside Askar Zhumagaliyev. Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev introduced both officials into the cabinet, increasing the number of deputy prime ministers to four. Dosaev’s responsibilities centered on driving modernization initiatives across critical sectors of the economy.

Chairman of the National Bank (2019–2022)

Dosaev was named Governor of the National Bank of Kazakhstan on 25 February 2019. Beginning in August 2019, under President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s directives, the National Bank conducted audits on Kazakhstan’s fourteen largest banks to attract investment and strengthen confidence within the banking sector.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Kazakhstan, the National Bank executed monetary policies throughout 2020–2021 aimed at supporting business operations, maintaining employment levels, and promoting infrastructure projects. It allocated 2.3 trillion tenge from an overall anti-crisis package totaling 6.3 trillion tenge. Inflation stabilized near 7.5% by late 2020. At the 9th Congress of Financiers, Dosaev reported a GDP growth rate of 3.5% for the first ten months of 2021, marking a return to pre-pandemic economic performance. He forecasted a gradual cessation of anti-crisis support payments by 2025, with potential acceleration as early as 2023 depending on recovery progress.

In November 2021, Dosaev announced plans for a pilot national payment system designed to process transactions in tenge through partnerships with Visa and Mastercard. This initiative aims to raise non-cash payment usage from 57% to 65% by 2025.

Äkım of Almaty (2022–2025)

On 31 January 2022, Dosaev was appointed as the äkım of Almaty, taking over from Bakhytzhan Sagintayev. He regarded this position as both a "distinct honor" and a significant responsibility. The outlet Vlast.kz described him as a "crisis manager," entrusted with the task of rebuilding public confidence following the 2022 Kazakh unrest, which inflicted around 112.6 billion tenge in damages to government buildings and plundered businesses.

Upon assuming office, Dosaev committed to placing Almaty at the vanguard of constructing a "new Kazakhstan," focusing on swift recovery initiatives. His agenda included compensating affected enterprises, enhancing public safety through improved lighting and surveillance systems, generating employment opportunities, stabilizing food prices, expanding educational and healthcare facilities, procuring environmentally friendly municipal buses, upgrading urban infrastructure, and repairing roads.

On 24 May 2025, Dosaev was dismissed from his role as äkım. The Almaty City Mäslihat convened that same day to approve his replacement.

Socio-economic development

During Dosaev’s leadership, Almaty’s economy demonstrated consistent growth, with the municipal budget doubling over three years to exceed two trillion tenge. Economic expansion was projected at 5.5% in 2024, increasing to 6.4% in 2025. The small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) sector was the main growth engine, employing more than 85% of the workforce—approximately 942,000 residents. In 2024, 53 billion tenge was allocated to support 1,800 new SME initiatives, with plans to invest 71 billion tenge in 2,000 additional projects in 2025. The non-resource industry attracted investments totaling 1.5 trillion tenge in 2024, expected to rise to 2 trillion tenge by year-end and reach 2.3 trillion tenge in 2025.

Public transport and utilities

Under Dosaev’s administration, significant reforms transformed Almaty’s public transportation system. In 2024, the plan included introducing 600 gas-powered buses and 200 electric buses, while private operators were set to acquire 800 gas and 118 electric buses. By May 2025, the city initiated a transition toward eco-friendly vehicles with the goal of phasing out gasoline and diesel public transport by the end of the year. The akimat procured a total of 770 gas buses, 115 electric buses, and 112 trolleybuses.

Two new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines were launched in April 2025: Jeltoqsan Street covering 4.6 km and Raiymbek Avenue spanning 17.2 km. Construction efforts continued throughout 2025 focusing on infrastructure enhancements such as road resurfacing, sidewalk improvements, landscaping, and the creation of green spaces.

Starting February 2025, utility tariffs—particularly for cold water—increased sharply following national adjustments, causing some residents’ water bills to triple. The additional revenue supports infrastructure maintenance, installation of water meters, and implementation of water conservation technologies. Addressing public concerns, Dosaev underscored the importance of "responsible consumption" to safeguard water resources.

Urban planning and building code changes

Significant urban planning reforms took place during Dosaev's term as Almaty’s äkım. In August 2022, he created an Urban Planning Council tasked with evaluating architectural proposals.

In May 2023, the city adopted a new Master Plan extending through 2040 that embraces a polycentric development approach aimed at reducing pressure on the historic city center and fostering balanced growth across all districts including suburban areas. Developed with input from over 1,300 public submissions, the plan envisions five new urban hubs featuring improved housing options, transportation networks, and infrastructure. Dosaev highlighted that this strategy reflects Almaty’s expansion while striving to enhance residents’ quality of life across the city.

In December 2024, stricter construction regulations were introduced. The Almaty City Mäslihat approved restrictions limiting high-density developments near residential zones, reducing maximum building heights, banning construction within foothill areas, and curbing infill projects in central districts. A moratorium on amendments to urban planning was also established granting authorities power to halt unsafe building activities.

For the first time in November 2024, the akimat published lists identifying 36 residential complexes considered unsuitable for purchase. Additionally, authorities demolished 62 illegal structures including those located in seismically risky zones. Dosaev acknowledged resistance to these measures: "I have made many enemies for not permitting construction in the mountains."

Urban Illumination

In response to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's March 2025 directive aimed at improving Almaty's nighttime lighting, the municipal authorities launched a comprehensive modernization initiative. By the conclusion of Dosaev's administration, outdoor lighting coverage had reached 85% of the planned goal, featuring the installation of over 30,000 energy-efficient lamps, refurbishment of 300 kilometers of electrical wiring, and deployment of more than 6,000 LED streetlights throughout 408 districts. Key thoroughfares including Al-Farabi, Abay, Tole Bi, and Nazarbayev underwent significant lighting enhancements.

Looking ahead to late 2025, Almaty intends to expand its streetlight network by adding 15,000 new units, alongside 5,700 lamps for parks and sidewalks, as well as establishing 1,189 additional lighting circuits in previously unilluminated zones to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Opposition

Prior to the announcement of Dosaev's appointment, residents of Almaty organized a petition opposing his nomination due to controversies linked to his previous governmental roles and advocated for the direct election of äkıms. An initially prohibited demonstration intended to honor victims of civil unrest was subsequently replaced by a protest specifically targeting Dosaev on 5 February 2022.

Political analyst Dosym Satbaev contended that direct elections for äkıms would enhance electoral competitiveness and candidate quality. Conversely, commentator Abramov emphasized that Dosaev's extensive experience could bolster vital business partnerships essential to Almaty’s fiscal framework.

Corporate Governance Roles

• Halyk Bank, board director (1999–2002)
• Kazakhoil, board director (1999–2002)
• Small Business Development Fund, board member (1999–2002), chairman (2002–2003)
• EximBank Kazakhstan, board member (2000), chairman (2001)
• Development Bank of Kazakhstan, chairman (2001–2002), board member (2002–2003)
• Lancaster Group Kazakhstan, board member (2006)
• Kazinvestbank, chairman (2006–2007)
• Alatau Holding Limited, director (2007)
• Samruk-Kazyna, board member (2012–2016)
• Qazyna Capital Management, chairman (since 2016)
• KazExportGarant, chairman (since 2016)
• Housing Construction Savings Bank, chairman (since 2016)
• Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund, chairman and board member (2018–2019)

Non-Governmental Organizations

• Member of the Commission on Military-Industrial Complex Issues of Kazakhstan (since 2012)
• Government representative at National Bank of Kazakhstan (2013 and from 2017 onward)
• Leader of Economic Affairs at the National Commission for Modernization (since 2015)
• Presidium member of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs (since 2016)
• Member of the Council of Foreign Investors under the President (since 2016)
• Participant in the State Commission for Economic Growth Restoration under the President (since 2020)
• Member of the Supreme Council for Reforms under the President (since 2020)

Awards

• Recipient of the Order of Kurmet (Құрмет ордені)
• Awarded the “20 years of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan” commemorative medal

Charitable Contributions

Dossaev is a co-founder and financial benefactor of both the Alumni Fund and Public Fizmat Endowment Fund associated with the Republican Physics and Mathematics School (RPMS), which supports essential long-term university initiatives. Alongside his wife, Gulnara Dossaeva, he also established the Dara charity organization.