Mohammed Dewji has been named Forbes Africa 2015 Person of the Year. Photo: Facebook
Businessman, philanthropist and former politician Mohammed Dewji has been named the Forbes Africa 2015 Person of the Year.
“Being a businessman has not kept me from also playing my part in politics, policy, philanthropy and society,” says Dewji, who is the CEO of MeTL Group.
Dewji, a billionaire who is also named by Forbes as the 21st richest person in Africa and one of the top 10 most powerful men in Africa in 2014, dedicated his award to the youth of Tanzania.
“May Tanzania’s youth aspire to make our world a better place to live in and leave behind a memorable legacy.”
Dewji says he believes life is short and you’ve got to give back.
“I believe in putting money back into my country first and foremost. Tanzania is where I make my money, it is my home and Tanzanians are my people and therefore my priority. God blesses some people with wealth and it is the duty of these people to redistribute this wealth to less fortunate people.”
MeTL Group employs over 24,000 people — approximately 5 percent of Tanzania’s formal sector workforce.
Runners-up for this years’ award included Vice President and Treasurer of the World Bank Arunma Oteh, author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and chair of the African Union Commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
