Uzum, Uzbekistan's leading digital ecosystem, has successfully secured over $130 million in a strategic investment round. The funding was led by sovereign entities from the Sultanate of Oman, establishing a new pre-money valuation of approximately $2.3 billion. This transaction highlights the growing global investor confidence in Central Asia's burgeoning technology sector and sets a new benchmark for the region.
Strategic Investment Fuels National Expansion
The deal combines primary equity and structured capital, significantly strengthening Uzum's financial position ahead of its planned Series B round. Existing international shareholders, including VR Capital, Tencent, and FinSight Ventures, also participated, underscoring their continued belief in the company's vision. This fresh capital injection is poised to accelerate Uzum's next major growth phase across the country.
Uzum will allocate the new funds to enhance its core services across e-commerce, digital banking, payments, and consumer lending. The company aims to deepen its product offerings and fortify its infrastructure to support its expanding operations. A key focus will be on increasing access to digital services for millions of people and businesses throughout Uzbekistan.
A Dominant Digital Ecosystem
The company operates a fully integrated platform that merges commerce and fintech, including services like Uzum Market and Uzum Bank. This comprehensive ecosystem serves more than 20 million people, which represents over half of the nation's population. Its platforms have become an essential part of daily life for a significant portion of Uzbek citizens.
Uzum's rapid growth is evidenced by its impressive performance metrics, recording $250 million in gross merchandise value in the first half of 2025. This figure marks a 1.5x increase year-over-year, demonstrating strong market adoption and user engagement. The platform currently supports over 16,000 merchants and employs a workforce of approximately 12,500 people.
A Testament to Uzbekistan's Tech Potential
Djasur Djumaev, Founder and CEO of Uzum, stated that the investment is a powerful endorsement of the company's strategy and Uzbekistan's digital potential. He emphasized the focus on building a technology-driven, inclusive infrastructure of national scale for everyday use. The support from new and existing shareholders provides strong momentum for continued expansion and innovation.
This landmark deal signals growing international conviction in Uzbekistan as one of the world's most attractive emerging digital economies. Since its founding in 2022, Uzum has quickly become the country's first unicorn and a dominant force in its market. The partnership with Omani sovereign entities further solidifies its position as a regional technology leader.
This substantial investment not only provides Uzum with the capital to scale its integrated ecosystem but also serves as a major validation of its business model. The transaction sets a new benchmark for Uzbekistan's technology sector, signaling its readiness for significant global capital. As Uzum prepares for its next funding round, its trajectory will be closely watched as a barometer for Central Asia's digital transformation.