Early Life and Education
Najib Azmi Mikati was born on November 24, 1955, in Tripoli, Lebanon, into a well-known Sunni Muslim family. He pursued higher education at the American University of Beirut, earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in 1980. His academic pursuits extended to summer programs at Harvard University and executive programs at INSEAD.
Rise to Success
Mikati's entrepreneurial journey began in the telecommunications sector. In 1982, he co-founded Investcom with his brother, Taha Mikati. Investcom quickly grew into a leading mobile phone provider in emerging markets across the Middle East and Africa, serving millions of subscribers. The brothers sold Investcom to South Africa's MTN Group in 2006 for $5.5 billion.
Key Business Strategies
Mikati's business acumen is evident in his ability to identify and capitalize on opportunities in underpenetrated markets. He focused on expanding Investcom's reach into countries with low mobile phone usage, but high growth potential. His strategy involved building cellphone towers and establishing a strong presence in the telecom industry in challenging markets.
Philanthropy
Mikati has been involved in philanthropic activities through the Mikati Foundation. The foundation supports educational initiatives, providing scholarships for over 5,000 students, and also donates to hospitals to assist underserved communities. His contributions reflect a commitment to social and economic development in Lebanon and beyond. The Mikati Foundation has donated over $50 million to education and healthcare initiatives.