In the modern world, women hold a significant position in business, and their entrepreneurial success is steadily increasing.
As of the beginning of 2026, statistics show that more than a million women lead small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kazakhstan, accounting for about 48% of all entrepreneurs in the country.
These figures are explained by several factors. First, a significant level of financial literacy among women implies a need to implement accumulated knowledge into professional solutions. Second, some women find their role as mere keepers of the home increasingly confining, and starting their own business allows them to demonstrate personal qualities. Moreover, having their own business offers flexible work schedules, financial independence, and the opportunity to realize their own ideas. Women develop businesses across various economic sectors, particularly excelling in trade, education, beauty industry, and socially-oriented projects. These industries form a substantial part of internal demand, create jobs, and contribute to sustainable regional development.
Kazakhstan creates conditions to support women's businesses both at the state level and through private initiatives. One major area of growth is the expansion of credit facilities. According to the Chairperson of the Kazakhstan Financiers Association, Elena Bakhmutova, of the 48% of SMEs led by women, only 28% have access to loans. "If all businesses under women's management could freely obtain credit, their contribution to the country's GDP would be significantly higher," says Elena Bakhmutova.
To increase women's entrepreneurs' access to credit, Kazakhstan has joined the international initiative to support women's business – the WE Finance Code. This initiative, supported in 30 countries, aims to reduce legislative and financial barriers for financing women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises.
Nurbank was one of the first banks in Kazakhstan to join the WE Finance Code, continuing its own tradition of supporting women's leadership and entrepreneurship. Nurbank highlights not only the substantial contribution of women's entrepreneurship to the economy but also such important qualities for the financial sector as high discipline and responsibility.
"Market data analysis helps us understand the real needs of women in business and offer solutions that work for their success here, now, and in the future. We also consider the need for a more flexible service, given the high social burden women carry," says Alexey Majuga, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Nurbank.
The bank stresses, however, that it primarily evaluates business potential over gender.
Responding to market demands, Nurbank has developed a modern product line for financing women's businesses. A special place in the product line is occupied by the "Business Khanum" program, developed in consideration of the specifics and needs of women's entrepreneurship. It offers options for replenishing working capital, funding for investment purposes, and refinancing existing loans with attractive rates and more lenient collateral requirements. Under the program, collateral loans are available up to 100 million tenge with a "Damu" Fund guarantee if there is insufficient collateral coverage. Additionally, the bank provides support to women entrepreneurs through "Damu" Fund programs and conducts financial literacy events involving the expert community.
Women entrepreneurs operating as sole proprietors or as legal entities can use the "Business Khanum" program if one of the following conditions is met:
In 2026, Nurbank offered entrepreneurs another financial lever in the form of special conditions on deposit products. At the beginning of the year, Nurbank launched a loyalty program for women entrepreneurs, adding up to 2% to the reward rate for certain deposits for newly opened accounts up to a 12-month term. Such support helps entrepreneurs preserve and increase funds amid high inflation expectations from the population and businesses. The bank's initiative allows not only effective placement of temporarily idle funds but also the formation of a financial safety cushion - a factor particularly important in a changing economic environment.
Such programs and initiatives help Nurbank work with promising business areas and influence economic stability. Supporting women's entrepreneurship, Nurbank contributes to the development of small and medium enterprises, as well as to sustainable and harmonious societal development with gender equality and women's empowerment.
Nurbank emphasizes that women's entrepreneurship is not just numbers in statistics. It's the courage to start, the responsibility for teams and families, and the ability to find opportunities even in the most challenging conditions. Today, women form almost half of the small and medium business sector in the country. Behind each statistical figure is a real story of labor, perseverance, and belief in one's cause.
"We sincerely believe that supporting women in business is an investment in the sustainable future of Kazakhstan's economy. That's why we create solutions that provide women entrepreneurs with more confidence, freedom, and opportunities for growth. Increased deposit rates and reduced rates under the 'Business Khanum' lending program are our contribution to developing a strong and competitive business," notes Alexey Majuga, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Nurbank.
For Nurbank, supporting women entrepreneurs is not a separate direction but a part of a systematic approach to business and economic development. The bank creates solutions that help women entrepreneurs confidently scale their business, quickly adapt to market changes, and implement long-term plans. When businesses have access to financing, expertise, and flexible support tools, new growth opportunities arise - both for entrepreneurs and for the country's economy as a whole.
JSC "Nurbank" operates under license No. 1.2.15/193 dated February 3, 2020, issued by the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market.
Source:
https://smebanking.agency/platform/cental-asia/nurbank-zhenskoe-predprinimatelstvo-v-kazaxstane/