While India boasts several billionaires such as Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, Shiv Nadar and Azim Premji, neighbouring Nepal has just one: Binod Chaudhary. The 68-year-old businessman is the chairman of Chaudhary Group (CG), a diversified conglomerate, but he is best known for building the Wai Wai instant noodle brand, a popular challenger to Nestlé’s Maggi in the Indian market.
Chaudhary’s foray into the instant noodle industry began during a visit to Thailand, where he observed the rising popularity of quick-cook meals. Inspired by the concept, he launched Wai Wai noodles in Nepal. The brand quickly gained traction and eventually expanded to India and other international markets, becoming a household name in several regions.
Today, Wai Wai enjoys a significant market share in the instant noodle segment in India, competing directly with major global and domestic players. The company operates multiple manufacturing units across India to meet the growing demand.
Chaudhary’s business interests extend beyond food. He partnered with National Panasonic to bring Suzuki vehicles to Nepal and has investments in banking and hospitality sectors. In the 1990s, he established the Singapore-based Cinnovation Group to lead his global expansion. By 1995, Chaudhary had acquired a controlling stake in Nepal’s Nabil Bank, one of the country’s largest financial institutions.
According to Forbes, Chaudhary’s net worth currently stands at approximately $1.8 billion, making him the only billionaire from Nepal.
The Chaudhary Group continues to invest in sectors including infrastructure, real estate, education, and energy, both within Nepal and internationally. Despite political and economic challenges in the region, Chaudhary has successfully positioned himself as a resilient entrepreneur with a strong presence across South Asia and beyond.
