Mohammed “Mo” Gulamabbas Dewji was once a boy who, from the heart of Singida, Tanzania, embarked on a journey that would see him rise to become Africa’s youngest billionaire and a transformative force in the continent’s business landscape.

Born on May 8, 1975, Mo’s early life was rooted in modest beginnings within a Shia Muslim family of Gujarati descent.

His father, Gulamabbas Dewji, laid the foundation by establishing Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania Limited (MeTL) in the 1970s, setting the stage for Mo’s future endeavors.

Mo’s academic pursuits took him across continents, from the International School of Tanganyika in Dar es Salaam to the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy in Florida, and finally to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

There, he earned a bachelor’s degree in international business and finance, with a minor in theology, in 1998.

This diverse education gave him a global perspective and a deep understanding of both commerce and community.

At just 25, Mo returned to Tanzania, stepping into the family business with a vision to transform it.

As President of MeTL Group, he led its expansion, growing operations across 11 African countries and industries ranging from textile manufacturing to agriculture.

Under his leadership, MeTL’s revenues skyrocketed from $30 million in 1999 to over $2 billion by 2022, making it one of Africa’s largest companies.

Beyond boardrooms, Mo’s influence extends into different parts of society. Serving as the Member of Parliament for Singida Urban from 2005 to 2015, he championed economic reforms and development initiatives.

His commitment to giving back is further reflected in the Mo Dewji Foundation, established in 2014 to uplift underprivileged communities across Tanzania.

In 2016, Mo became the first Tanzanian to join the Giving Pledge, promising to donate at least half of his wealth to philanthropic causes.

His remarkable achievements have earned him global recognition.

Named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2012, Mo was later recognized among the 10 Most Powerful Men in Africa by Forbes in 2014.

In 2015, he was honored as Business Leader of the Year by African Business Magazine and named Forbes Africa’s Person of the Year.

His contributions to industry and leadership were further acknowledged in 2022 with an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, followed by being awarded Industrialist of the Year at the All Africa Business Leaders Awards in 2023.

In 2018, Mo faced a terrifying ordeal when he was kidnapped in Dar es Salaam.

His release and determination to continue his work only proved his unwavering spirit and dedication to his mission.

Today, with an estimated net worth of $1.8 billion as of October 2024, Mo Dewji stands not just as a business magnate but as a symbol of transformative leadership and philanthropy.

His journey from Singida to the top of African enterprise serves as an enduring inspiration, urging us all to dream bigger, act with purpose, and leave a lasting impact on our communities.