Early Life
Taha Mikati was born in Tripoli, Lebanon, in 1944. He comes from a prominent Lebanese family. Mikati's academic foundation was laid at the International College, followed by a bachelor's degree from the American University of Beirut.
Rise to Success
Mikati began his business career in 1979 by founding the Arabian Construction Company (ACC) in Abu Dhabi. ACC grew into a leading construction company in the Middle East. In the 1980s, Taha co-founded Investcom, a Lebanese telecom operator, with his brother Najib. Investcom expanded its operations across Africa and the Middle East, becoming a leading telecom provider with a substantial customer base. In 2005, Investcom went public on the London Stock Exchange. In 2009, South Africa's MTN bought the Mikatis' stake for $3.6 billion.
Key Business Strategies
A key strategy was expanding into the telecom sector with Investcom, which offered satellite phones during Lebanon's civil war. Investcom's expansion into Africa and the Middle East, building cell towers, was also a strategic move. Following the sale of Investcom, the Mikati brothers established M1 Group, a diversified holding company. M1 Group has investments in telecommunications, real estate, fashion, and aviation.
Philanthropy
Through the Mikati Foundation, Taha focuses on improving welfare and potential in the developing world, particularly in the Arab World and Africa. His philanthropic efforts reflect a commitment to social and educational initiatives.