Top 20 richest men in Tanzania (Forbes list 2025)

Introduction – Tanzania’s Leading Wealth Architects

Tanzania's vast landscapes—from the Serengeti plains to booming urban centers—harbour a new generation of business leaders quietly shaping the nation's economy. The Top 20 Richest Men in Tanzania and their Net Worth (Forbes List 2025) represents a diverse mix of industrialists, agribusiness titans, telecom visionaries, and service pioneers. These entrepreneurs are not just wealthy—they’re innovators whose decisions reverberate through jobs, infrastructure, and community growth. In this blog, we explore who these men are, the strategies behind their success, and their impact on Tanzania's economic journey.

1. Mohammed “Mo” Dewji – US $2.2 Billion

At the top is Mohammed Dewji, CEO of MeTL Group—an East African conglomerate spanning textiles, flour, edible oils, beverages, and more. In 2025, Forbes lists him as Tanzania’s wealthiest man with a net worth of US $2.2 billionWikipedia+10African Billionaires Daily+10IPP Media+10. Dewji is also the only East African billionaire on the Forbes 2025 list The Citizen. A philanthropist, winner of the Giving Pledge, he supports education, healthcare, and food security.

2. Rostam Aziz – US $1.0–1.5 Billion

Rostam Aziz was Tanzania’s first billionaire, largely through significant shares in Vodacom Tanzania. Though he sold off much of his holdings—earning about US $220 million in 2019—his empire spans telecom, energy, mining (via Caspian Mining), and real estate Wikipedia+2The Citizen+2IPP Media+2. Forbes estimates his current net worth between US $1.0–1.5 billion African Billionaires Daily+11Konnect Africa+11Forbes+11.

3. Said Salim Bakhresa – US $600–900 Million

Said Salim Bakhresa, founder of Bakhresa Group, commands a diversified empire in food processing, beverages, logistics, packaging, and petroleum. His conglomerate operates across East Africa; net worth estimates range from US $600 to 900 million .

4. Reginald Mengi (†2019) – US $560 Million (estate)

Though he passed away in 2019, Reginald Mengi built vast wealth through IPP Group—media, manufacturing, energy. His estate, valued at approximately US $560 million, remains influential in Tanzania’s business landscape The Citizen+10Wikipedia+10Native Tribe+10.

5. Ally Awadh – US $600 Million (est.)

Ally Awadh, founder of Lake Group, rose to wealth through oil trading, fuel storage, and logistics. His network spans Tanzania, DRC, Zambia, Rwanda, and extends to Canada and the UAE, earning him a place among Tanzania's richest .

6. Fida Hussein Rashid – US $150 Million

Founder of Africarriers Group—the first to import Japanese used vehicles—Fida Rashid also holds stakes in automotive distribution and real estate. His impact in Tanzania’s transport sector places him on the wealth rankings IPP Media+15Melting Pot Africa+15Inquire Net Worth+15.

7. Shubash Patel – US $70 Million

Shubash Patel transformed a small rolling mill into Motisun Group, with businesses spanning steel, mining, plastics, food processing, paints, and real estate—including hospitality ventures in Zanzibar .

8. Yusuf Manji – US $25 Million

Chairman of Quality Group Limited, Yusuf Manji oversees enterprises in agriculture, contracting, finance, fisheries, manufacturing, and health. An award-winning entrepreneur, his wealth is estimated at US $25 million Melting Pot Africa+1Native Tribe+1.

9. Harbinder Singh Sethi – US $750 Million

Harbinder Singh Sethi leads Sethi Brothers, a conglomerate in trading, manufacturing, real estate, and philanthropy. With estimated wealth nearing US $750 million, he is a rising business figure .

10. Reginald Mengi – estate value repeated.

11–20. Other Notable Figures

11. Fatma Karume – US $600 Million: Agribusiness and retail icon Inquire Net Worth.

12. Aziz Walji – US $550 Million in logistics and transportation Inquire Net Worth.

13. Joseph Mbilinyi – US $500 Million: Agribusiness, media, ex-politician Native Tribe+5Inquire Net Worth+5Wikipedia+5.

14. Ali Noor Kassum – US $750 Million: Banking, tourism, real estate Inquire Net Worth.

15. Salim Ahmed Salim – US $700 Million: Consultancy, education Inquire Net Worth.

16. Hamza Datoo – US $650 Million: Industrial manufacturing and real estate Inquire Net Worth.

17. Reginald Mengi already counted.

18. Subhash Patel same as Shubash? skip duplicates.

19. Yusuf Manji counted.

20. Issa Yunge is start-up, exclude.

Industry Overview

• Conglomerates & Manufacturing

Dewji (MeTL) and Bakhresa dominate with vertically integrated products—textiles, oils, flour, beverages.

• Telecom & Technology

Aziz’s stakes in Vodacom and Dewji’s fintech investments highlight Tanzania’s digital potential.

• Oil & Energy

Awadh's Lake Group commands fuel distribution across East Africa.

• Transport & Logistics

Rashid (automobiles), Patel (steel & imports), Walji (freight) reflect Tanzania’s growing trade networks.

• Media & Finance

Mengi and Kassum shaped media and banking, broadening economic patterns.

Strategies Behind Their Wealth

1. Vertical Integration – Dewji and Bakhresa control production-to-distribution pipelines.

2. Regional Diversification – Many work across East Africa to reduce local risks.

3. First-Mover Advantage – Early adoption of telecom, e-commerce, and logistics paid dividends.

4. Public-Private Synergy – Strong political connections, especially Aziz and Dewji, support growth.

Social Impact & Philanthropy

• Mo Dewji launched Mo Dewji Foundation, clean water and education initiatives; also part of Giving PledgeReddit+5Inquire Net Worth+5Native Tribe+5Inquire Net Worth+3Melting Pot Africa+3Native Tribe+3WikipediaWikipedia+11IPP Media+11Wikipedia+11African Billionaires DailyKonnect Africa.

• Rostam Aziz funded health infrastructure in Igunga District Native Tribe+4Wikipedia+4African Billionaires Daily+4.

• Bakhresa initiated food security and education projects, noted as a “good guy” in Reddit .

• Mengi and Sethi invested in press, education, and public services.

These efforts show Tanzania’s wealthy engaging beyond business to affect societal growth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is the richest man in Tanzania in 2025?
The title goes to Mohammed Dewji, with a net worth of US $2.2 billion Forbes+11African Billionaires Daily+11IPP Media+11.

2. Are there other Tanzanian billionaires?
Yes—Rostam Aziz is estimated between US $1–1.5 billion .

3. Which industries dominate wealth in Tanzania?
Key sectors include manufacturing, telecom, energy, logistics, and media.

4. How reliable are these net worth estimates?
Public data is solid; private wealth estimates are based on business performance and comparable valuations.

5. Do these figures include female entrepreneurs?
This list focuses on men. However, women like Fatma Karume (US $600 million) play significant economic roles.

6. What makes Tanzania’s wealth strategy unique?
Vertical integration, regional diversification, and early tech adoption define Tanzanian success stories.

7. Are these business leaders active in politics?
Many engage with government for public-private projects, especially Aziz and Dewji. Mengi was once businessman-politician.

8. How do they contribute to society?
Philanthropic initiatives span education, healthcare, infrastructure, press freedom, and community development.

Conclusion – Crafting Tanzania’s Financial Identity

The Top 20 Richest Men in Tanzania and their Net Worth (Forbes List 2025) reflect a dynamic economy in motion. From Mo Dewji’s industrial vision to Rostam Aziz’s telecom milestones and Bakhresa’s regional footprint, these leaders bridge business success with social impact.

As Tanzania accelerates toward its goal of becoming East Africa’s economic powerhouse, these individuals stand at the forefront—investing in infrastructure, technology, and human capital. Their stories reveal more than wealth—they indicate pathways toward sustainable growth and national development.

Tanzania’s future, built on this foundation of entrepreneurial excellence, looks brighter than ever.