Egypt has produced several men of incredible wealth over the years. They are from well-known families, some of whose wealth stretches back several generations. Their names are powerful, and their influence stretches throughout the continent and beyond.
As their wealth is tied to investments till today, Egypt’s wealthiest men have spread their money all over the world, they have invested in industries that continue to generate more wealth for them, and keep spreading the fame of their names.
They contribute to the world’s economies by creating jobs, and the products they bring into the market make life easier. Indeed, it takes a great deal of expertise to diversify such business enterprises and manage them successfully. Their business ideas and perseverance have strengthened and made their companies grow from day to day.
Below is a list of successful entrepreneurs in Egypt according to their net worth, and what businesses they are involved in;
NASSEF SAWIRIS (Net worth $7.7 bn)
With a net worth of $ 7.7 billion, Nassef Sawiris is the richest man in Egypt. Although his wealth springs from his father, his family made its wealth during the reign of former president Hosni Mubarak. Sawiris now runs Orascom Constructions industries, Egypt’s most valuable company.
The company was established by his father Onsi Sawiris. He is one of the wealthiest men in Africa. Aside from his businesses in Egypt, he also has other investments such as the Multinational cement giant Lafarge which is involved in several markets including Nigeria.
NAGUIB SAWIRIS (Net worth $3.5 bn)
Sawiris net worth currently is estimated to be at $ 3.5 billion and he is the older brother of Nassef Sawiris. He is the oldest son of Onsi Sawiris, patriarch of the Sawiris dynasty.
Naguib Sawiris managed Orascom Telecom successfully for many years and sold it to Russian telecom giant VimpelCom for $ 6.5 billion in shares and cash. That move made him the largest shareholder in VimpelCom. With that move, he has spread his wealth from Egypt to Russia, and they may be the key to the establishment of the Sawiris family in Eastern Europe.
MOHAMED MANSOUR (Net worth $2.5 bn)
Mohamed Mansour’s $2.5 billion net worth brings him into reckoning as one of Egypt’s (and Africa’s) biggest men. He is one of the biggest dealers of GM vehicles in the world. He has aligned himself very well with American businesses, GM has made him one of their distributors not just in Egypt but throughout the continent.
Mansour also has also deals in heavy vehicles, he sells trucks and tractors, especially Caterpillar branded vehicles throughout Africa, Russia and Iraq. Mansour also has other business interests such as Metro Supermarket, which is the largest supermarket chain in Egypt and the Philip Morris franchise.
MOHAMED AL- FAYED (Net worth $ 2.1 bn)
Mohamed Al-Fayed is an Egyptian-born businessman who lives in England. He has over the years proved himself as an astute businessman. He was once the owner of both Harrods department store and the Fulham Football Club. Now he has several business interests including the ownership of Hotel Ritz Paris.
Many people do not know that it was his son Dodi who was in a romantic relationship with Princess Diana (Princess of Wales) and who died with her in a car crash.
ONSI SAWIRIS (Net worth $ 2bn)
Onsi Sawiris is the patriarch of the Sawiris Family, Egypt’s wealthiest family. He has probably made more than 7 billion dollars during his career, he is an astute businessman. His first construction company was nationalized y the Egyptian government, but he went on to find another one, which is now run by his son Nassef. He took over in 1995.
Onsi Sawiris has taken a back seat, his net worth is now tied to his shares in Russian mobile Operator VimpelCom which his son bought over through shares when he sold Orascom Telecom.
YASSEEN MANSOUR (Net worth $ 2 bn)
Yasseen Mansour is the youngest of the three Mansour brothers. He is the second biggest real estate developer in Egypt, and recently did a development so large that it sent ripples to Interpol. Palm Hills Development, a mega deal brought up accusations of using state land, but Yasseen Mansour has been cleared of such charge.
Yasseen has resigned as CEO of the Development Company, but remains chairman. Nevertheless he has a huge stake in the family’s GM dealership business.
YOUSSEF MANSOUR (Net worth $1.95 bn)
Youssef Mansour is one of the Mansour brothers as well. He too has interests in the publicly traded real estate development company Palm Hills Development. Aside from that, he has been one of the key figures responsible for building Metro, Egypt’s largest supermarket chain.
He also has interests in the family’s automotive dealership which is the largest seller of GM vehicles in the world, and also Caterpillar machines. Youssef also does lots of charity work. He is the focal point of the family foundation which funds literacy and poverty alleviation work in Egypt.
SHAFIK GABR (Net worth $ 720 million)
Shafik Gabr is not yet a billionaire, but he is probably going to become one very soon. He has proved himself as one of the most astute businessmen on Egyptian soil. He founded and built conglomerate ARTOC, a company that has several interests including steel fabrication, logistical services, and specialized services for oil and gas companies.
He has also been an avid art collector, he has a vast collection of contemporary pieces which focus on Oriental art. Gabr owns a foundation that promotes East-West dialogue. The foundation provides a platform for the arts, science and business.
SAMIH SAWIRIS (Net worth $ 525 million)
Samih Sawiris is another son of the great Sawiris Family. He is the chairman of the board of directors of Orascom Development, his business is primarily real estate development, as well as the hospitality industry, and the development of the tourism sector.
As a Sawiris he is thought to have a stake in the family telecommunications company VimpelCom which his brothers bought by selling Orascom Telecommunications.
AHMED EZZ (Net worth $ 312 million)
Egyptian steel tycoon Ahmed Ezz owns 61.89 percent of his eponymous Ezz Steel SAE, an Egypt- based manufacturer and trader of steel and related products. The company is the largest independent steel producer in the Middle East and North Africa, and exports long and flat steel products to many countries around the world. His stake is currently valued at $ 312 million.
SADEK SEWEDY (Net worth $ 149 million)
Sadek Sewedy is a son of the Sewedy family which is a notable industrial family in Egypt. He is the chairman of El Sewedy Industries Group, mainly active in the energy and lighting sector. His company produces several electrical products as well as hardware for the power generation and distribution sectors.
El Sewedy Electric was recently established in Nigeria, the company now operates an ultra-modern production facility in Lagos, Nigeria. Where electric poles and insulators, as well as transformers, are built. The factory employs about one hundred people, and some expatriates as well.
The richest men in Egypt have achieved their money all over the world, not because they do not have faith in their homeland, but because they have been well informed about business opportunities as they become available in other parts of the world business. After all, it’s all about making a profit which is what these men have done.
