Mohammed Dewji, relentless march towards increased prosperity placed him in the league of elites who control massive wealth in Africa.
Rated as the Tanzanian Supreme entrepreneur, Dewji is Africa’s youngest billionaire standing in the same class as Nigerian capitalist Aliko Dangote.
According to Forbes ranking, Dewji is worth Ksh219 billion ( USD 1.5 billion).
But Who is Dewji
Unlike other richest individuals, Dewji is not reclusive. He is outgoing with numerous connections with locals in Tanzania. He is the CEO of METL, a Tanzanian conglomerate founded by his father in the 1970s.
METL is active in textile manufacturing, flour milling, beverages, and edible oils in eastern, southern, and central Africa. The company operates in six other nations making Dewji a global figure.
Across Tanzania, the group employs around 38,000 people with interests in the neighbouring East and Central African countries.
His Early Life
Dewji who is widely referred to as a local boy made good, was born in Singida, central Tanzania.
His grandfather, Gulamabbas Dewji, ran a small shop in the area. Gulamabbas took the business up several gears, importing and exporting an increasing range of commodities like sugar and wheat and soft manufactures like soap and toothpaste and agricultural products.
In the 1970s, the empire picked up and began making waves in Tanzania. But it remained a family business, where Dewji recalled his father tutoring him at the age of 11 how to manage various businesses.
To prepare him for the task ahead, Dewji was enrolled in a local International School. However, Dewji developed a passion for golf and his parents decided to support him in that course.
He was sent to the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy in Orlando, Florida to hone his talents and perhaps end up as a professional.
After a while, he decided to give up on the idea of professional golf and switched to a regular school in Florida.
Later, Dewji decided to go back to studying business where he enrolled at Georgetown University, Washington DC.
After school, Dewji landed a job offer from a Wall Street firm in New York. He enjoyed the lifestyle and struggled with meeting his basic needs and honouring tax obligations.
Returning to Tanzania
Mo began his career at MeTL in 1999 at the age of 24 and says he went systematically through the grades, from financial director to becoming the President of the company.
He expanded the empire by collaborating with various stakeholders and capitalizing on government interventions to cross the borders.
Giving Half his Wealth to Charity
In 2016 he joined the Giving Pledge, a movement of philanthropists who commit to give the majority of their wealth to charitable causes, either during their lifetimes or in their wills.
Giving Pledge was created by Warren Buffet, Melinda French Gates, and Bill Gates.
Giving up on His Political Ambition
Dewji gave up on his political ambition despite winning a seat and becoming a member of parliament in Singida. In a previous interview, the philanthropist indicated that his busy traveling schedule forced him to step down.
Kidnapping Ordeal
In 2018 was kidnapped and held for 10 days. During his incarceration, millions rallied to the hashtag #bringbackMo and set up collective prayers for his safe release.
“The poorest of the poor stood up for me, they prayed for me. It was unbelievable. It was the best feeling. I am very grateful to God for giving me a chance at a new life,” he stated after being released.
He currently supports Simba Football Club in Tanzania.
