A Milestone for Economic Education in Kazakhstan
A meeting between Kazakhstan’s National Bank, Narxoz University and some of the country’s highest-achieving economics students has marked an important step forward for the Economics Olympiad in Kazakhstan.
Students, mentors and organizers were welcomed by Timur Suleimenov, Governor of the National Bank of Kazakhstan, for a meeting recognizing the achievements of Kazakhstan’s national Economics Olympiad team. Kanat Kozhakhmet, President of Narxoz University, EFI’s partner in Kazakhstan, also attended.
The meeting was designed not only to celebrate this year’s students, but to encourage the next generation of young Kazakhs to engage with economics and aspire to represent their country internationally.
For EFI and Narxoz, the recognition represents an important milestone in the development of the Economics Olympiad in Kazakhstan.
From national participation to international success
Kazakhstan has established an impressive record at the Economics Olympiad, with students progressing from national competition and preparation to compete alongside young people from around the world at the International Final Round, including the most recent overall winner of the International Final Round 2026, 17-year-old Batyrkhan Mukhtarkhan.
That pathway is continuing to grow. Narxoz reports that the numbers of participating students and schools are doubling each year, with the ambition to continue that trajectory.
The National Bank has also played a role in supporting the preparation of Kazakhstan’s national teams.
Reflecting on the students’ achievements following the meeting, Governor Suleimenov highlighted both their international results and what they could mean for Kazakhstan’s future.
“For us, this is more than an educational project.”
He pointed to an increasingly complex economic environment shaped by changing trade and financial relationships, technology, artificial intelligence and new challenges to financial stability – challenges that today’s students may be helping to address in the years ahead.
One medalist also told the meeting that monetary policy classes provided by the National Bank had helped him tackle problems during the Olympiad.
Recognition that can inspire the next generation
The meeting brought together students who had competed internationally, alongside their mentors and the organizations helping to make those opportunities possible.
Students received awards from the Governor in recognition of their achievements.
But the significance extends beyond this year’s results.
The National Bank and organizers agreed that meetings recognizing Kazakhstan’s Economics Olympiad students will now take place annually following the International Final Round.
For the national organizers, that commitment sends an important signal to future participants.
“Recognition by the National Bank of Kazakhstan is an important step in the development of the Economics Olympiad in Kazakhstan. I am sure it will motivate future participants from Kazakhstan to show exceptional results at the International Final Rounds of the Economics Olympiad.”
Kuandyk Tleuzhanuly
Building something that can last
EFI works through trusted local partners because sustainable impact depends on strong institutions and local leadership.
In Kazakhstan, Narxoz University has become an important part of that model — helping young people discover economics, supporting talented students as they progress, and building relationships that can strengthen economic education over the longer term.
The growing involvement of institutions such as the National Bank demonstrates what can happen as that ecosystem develops.
What begins with a student discovering an interest in economics can become something much bigger: deeper study, international competition, further education and, ultimately, a new generation equipped to contribute to their country’s economic future.
As participation continues to grow, the ambition is not simply to produce more medal winners.
It is to create opportunities for many more young people across Kazakhstan to understand economics, develop their abilities and discover where that knowledge might take them.