Uzbekistan National Wealth Fund to Launch First-Ever London IPO

Uzbekistan is preparing for a historic entry into global capital markets as the Uzbekistan national wealth fund London IPO moves forward. The National Investment Fund of the Republic of Uzbekistan (UzNIF) has confirmed plans to launch an initial public offering (IPO) through a dual listing on the stock exchanges of both London and Tashkent according to official announcements.

This move marks the first time the Central Asian nation has debuted on the London public market, signaling a significant shift in the country’s approach to private capital and economic openness. The fund, which serves as a strategic vehicle for the state, intends to use the dual listing to attract both domestic and international investment while modernizing its industrial base as confirmed by the national wealth fund.

The National Investment Fund’s float represents a milestone for Uzbekistan’s capital markets.

Strategic Dual Listing in London and Tashkent

The decision to list in both London and Tashkent is designed to maximize liquidity and visibility. By tapping into the London market, Uzbekistan gains access to a global pool of institutional investors, while the Tashkent listing ensures that domestic citizens can participate in the country’s economic transformation. While the fund has confirmed the intent to float on both exchanges, it has not yet released specific pricing parameters or a definitive timeline for the offering per a press release provided to Kun.uz.

Strategic Dual Listing in London and Tashkent

Financial transparency is a cornerstone of the offering. As of December 31, 2025, the net asset value (NAV) of the UzNIF portfolio stood at $2.44 billion according to reported figures. This valuation provides a benchmark for potential investors as the fund prepares to transition from a wholly state-owned entity to a publicly traded one.

Portfolio Composition and Management

Established in 2024, UzNIF is currently wholly owned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. To ensure international standards of governance, the fund has appointed the U.S.-based investment firm Franklin Templeton as its trustee manager which manages $1.74 trillion in assets globally. The appointment of a global asset manager is seen as a move to instill confidence in international investors regarding the fund’s management and transparency.

The fund’s portfolio is highly diversified, consisting of minority stakes in 13 major state-owned enterprises (SOEs) spanning the energy, transport, telecommunications, and utilities sectors. These assets represent some of the most strategic components of the Uzbek economy.

To further incentivize investment, a presidential decree has mandated a strict dividend policy for the companies within the fund’s portfolio. These enterprises are required to distribute at least 50% of their net profit as dividends by the year 2030 as per the government mandate. This policy is intended to ensure a steady return for shareholders and force operational efficiency within the state-owned companies.

A Broader Path Toward Market Liberalization

The UzNIF IPO is not an isolated event but rather the spearhead of a wider privatization and modernization drive. The government is leveraging the fund to prepare other state assets for the public market. In coordination with Franklin Templeton, six additional companies within the UzNIF portfolio are expected to conduct their own individual IPOs by 2028 according to fund reports.

This systemic approach to capital market development aims to reduce the state’s direct footprint in the economy while maintaining strategic oversight through minority stakes. By listing these assets on international exchanges, Uzbekistan seeks to integrate its economy more deeply with global financial systems and adopt international corporate governance standards.

Investor Participation and Next Steps

For retail investors looking to participate in the domestic leg of the offering, the fund has issued a specific advisory. Due to the anticipated limited subscription window, individuals are encouraged to open brokerage accounts in Uzbekistan in advance to ensure they can participate in the Tashkent listing per fund guidance.

Prospective investors can stay updated on the progress of the offering through the official IPO Centre hosted by the National Investment Fund at uznif.com, where key documents and updates are expected to be published.

UzNIF IPO Quick Facts
Detail Information
Net Asset Value (Dec 31, 2025) $2.44 billion verified
Listing Locations London and Tashkent
Trustee Manager Franklin Templeton
Portfolio Size 13 State-Owned Enterprises
Dividend Mandate Min. 50% of net profit by 2030

The next confirmed checkpoint for the offering will be the announcement of the specific IPO dates and pricing parameters, which the fund has stated will be released at a later time as per the official update.

We invite our readers to share their thoughts on Uzbekistan’s move toward global capital markets in the comments below.

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