Early Life
Naguib Sawiris was born in Cairo, Egypt, on June 15, 1954, to Onsi Sawiris, the founder of the Orascom Group. He has two younger brothers, Nassef and Samih, who are also billionaires. He received a diploma from the German Evangelical School in Giza, as well as a diploma of mechanical engineering with a master's degree in technical administration from ETH Zurich.
Rise to Success
Sawiris began his career within the family business, Orascom Group, in 1979. He played a crucial role in expanding the company beyond its construction roots into telecommunications. In 1997, he founded Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH), which became a leading telecom provider in emerging markets, operating in over 28 countries. A major achievement was the sale of Orascom Telecom to VimpelCom (now Veon) in 2011 in a multi-billion-dollar deal. Sawiris has also invested in gold mining through La Mancha Resource Capital. In 2016, he founded Ora Developers, a real estate company with projects in multiple countries.
Key Business Strategies
Sawiris's business strategy has focused on identifying opportunities in high-growth sectors, particularly in emerging markets. His ability to secure licenses and establish telecom networks in various countries, including North Korea, showcases his entrepreneurial spirit. His investments in media (Euronews) and real estate further demonstrate his diversification strategy.
Philanthropy
Sawiris is actively involved in philanthropy. He is the vice-president and co-founder of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development. The foundation focuses on education and social development in Egypt, providing scholarships and supporting various community initiatives. The Sawiris family has contributed over $30 million to the American University in Cairo, which has a business school named in honor of the family.