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Alexander Machkevitch: A tribute to his life and legacy

Dr. Alexander Machkevitch, one of the founders of the Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), passed away on March 22, 2025, at the age of 71 after a long illness. Machkevitch was not only a prominent businessman in Kazakhstan but also a distinguished figure in social and public affairs.

His contributions to business, academia, and philanthropy have left a permanent mark on the Eurasian region.

Machkevitch started out as an academic. He studied philology at Kyrgyz State University, where he graduated in 1978. He pursued higher research at the Kyrgyz Pedagogical Institute. In 1981, he was already the youngest candidate of science in pedagogy and psychology. For the next five years from 1981 to 1986, he was an associate professor and head of the faculty at Kyrgyz State University and was actively involved in curriculum development and academic practice.

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After his career, he shifted to business in 1988, Machkevitch began entrepreneurship during the time of transformation before the Soviet Union collapsed. He began to work with the Seabeco Group in Kyrgyzstan, which played a key role in advising on reform and economic reconstruction. This was the beginning of his foray into large-scale business ventures.

Machkevitch, together with Patokh Chodiev and Alijan Ibragimov, founded Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (subsequently ERG) during the privatization period in Kazakhstan. ERG developed into one of the largest companies in Kazakhstan, engaged in mining, metallurgy, logistics, finance, and energy production. ERG became a major contributor to the Kazakh economy, generating as much as 10% of the GDP, while under Machkevitch’s chairmanship from 2014 to 2024.

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Besides business, Machkevitch was significantly engaged in humanitarian activities. He invested heavily in education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and youth training programs in Kazakhstan. Some of his most visible projects include the construction of the biggest synagogue in Central Asia, “Beit Rachel – Chabad Lubavich,” and his presidency of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. His philanthropic activities earned him the highest awards such as the Order of Barys and Order of Kurmet.

Machkevitch’s life was characterised by resilience, vision, and generosity. His transition from academia to business exemplified his ability to adapt and thrive amidst change. As Chairman of ERG for over two decades, he not only built an industrial empire but also fostered social development in Kazakhstan’s most remote regions.

The management and Board of Directors at ERG mourn his passing and extend heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Dr. Machkevitch’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations in Kazakhstan and beyond.