Mohammed Dewji: Tanzania’s Youngest Billionaire and Business Visionary

In the landscape of African entrepreneurship, Mohammed Dewji stands tall as the youngest billionaire in Africa. As the CEO of MeTL Group, one of Tanzania’s largest conglomerates, Dewji has become a symbol of ambition, leadership, and economic transformation on the continent.

Early Life and Background

Mohammed Dewji was born on May 8, 1975, in Ipembe, Singida, Tanzania. He grew up in a business-oriented family, with his father running a commodities trading business. Dewji attended high school in Tanzania before moving abroad to study. He later graduated with a degree in International Business and Finance from Georgetown University, Washington D.C., in the United States.

This international exposure equipped him with the skills and vision to return to Tanzania and grow his family business into a continental powerhouse.

Leading MeTL Group

In the late 1990s, Dewji joined his family’s business, the MeTL Group (Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania Limited). Under his leadership, the company transformed from a small trading enterprise into one of Africa’s largest diversified conglomerates.

Today, MeTL operates in over 10 countries, with business interests spanning:

• Agriculture – from farming to processing.

• Manufacturing – textiles, edible oils, and consumer goods.

• Energy & Petroleum – trading and distribution.

• Financial Services – expanding into banking and insurance.

• Logistics & Distribution – across East and Central Africa.

The group employs over 30,000 people, making it one of Tanzania’s largest employers.

Achievements and Recognition

• Youngest Billionaire in Africa: Dewji has consistently been listed by Forbes among Africa’s richest individuals.

• Economic Contributor: His investments account for a significant percentage of Tanzania’s GDP.

• Philanthropy: Through the Mo Dewji Foundation, he funds education, healthcare, and community development initiatives across Tanzania.

• Recognition: Named by Forbes Africa as “Person of the Year” in 2015.

Lifestyle and Personal Life

Despite his immense wealth, Dewji is known for his humility and passion for Tanzania. He is married with children and balances his family life with his business empire and philanthropic work.

In 2018, he made global headlines after being briefly kidnapped in Dar es Salaam, an event that shocked the continent. He later returned safely, further strengthening his resolve to continue building Africa’s economic future.

Country and Impact

Dewji’s story is inseparable from Tanzania, where his vision has driven industrialization, job creation, and economic diversification. His success inspires young Africans, proving that age is no barrier to achieving extraordinary business success.

Legacy of a Trailblazer

From a family-owned trading business to building a billion-dollar conglomerate, Mohammed Dewji’s journey represents the resilience, determination, and innovation of Africa’s new generation of leaders.

He is more than a billionaire; he is a trailblazer shaping Africa’s economic future.

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