Aside from its cultural heritage, history, and reputation as the largest country in Africa, Sudan has produced its fair crop of entrepreneurs.
One of Sudan’s most successful businessmen is Mohammed “Mo” Ibrahim.
He is best known as the founder of Celtel International, one of the first mobile phone companies on the African continent.
This is his profile as told by WOA:
Mohammed Ibrahim Net Worth
In 2021, Mohammed Ibrahim, who resides in London, was hailed as the richest black man in Britain, and not without reason.
According to Forbes, Mohammed Ibrahim has a net worth of $1.3 billion in 2024.
His wealth primarily came from the sale of Celtel International to Kuwait’s Mobile Telecommunications Company for $3.4 billion in 2005, from which he pocketed $1.4 billion.
Since then, he has continued to grow his wealth through his company, Satya Capital, which invests in African businesses, education, and healthcare.
Between 2022 and 2023, his net worth grew by $100 million, attributed to the astonishing performance of his company, Satya Capital.
He reportedly owns several properties worldwide, including in the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.
Here are 5 companies owned by Mohammed Ibrahim:
- Mo Ibrahim Foundation: Established in 2006, this foundation promotes good governance and leadership in Africa.
- Satya Capital Limited: A private investment firm focused on Africa, supporting startups and investments across various sectors.
- Cellulant: A leading provider of digital financial services in Africa, backed by Satya Capital.
- Mobile Systems International (MSI): Founded in 1989, MSI was a cellular consulting and software provider before evolving into Celtel International.
- Celtel International: Founded in 1998, Celtel was one of Africa’s leading mobile telecommunications companies before being sold to MTC Kuwait in 2005.
His business acumen and wealth have cultivated him an elite circle of friends that includes notaries such as Aliko Dangote, Bill Gates, and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
Mohammed Ibrahim Education
Aside from being billionaires, Mo Ibrahim, Jeff Bezos, and Michael Bloomberg have one thing in common: They all have degrees in Electrical Engineering.
Mo Ibrahim’s impressive educational background entails:
- A Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Alexandria University in Egypt.
- A Master of Science in Electronics and Electrical Engineering from the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom.
- A PhD in Mobile Communications from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.
Mohammed Ibrahim Success journey
Mo Ibrahim was born on May 3, 1946, in Sudan. However, his family relocated to Alexandria, Egypt, during his childhood.
After earning his PhD in mobile communications from the University of Birmingham, Ibrahim started his career as a senior researcher at the University of Birmingham, studying radio coverage patterns. He then joined British Telecom (BT), where he helped design the UK’s first cellular networks.
In 1989, he founded Mobile Systems International (MSI), a consultancy that became a leader in cellular consulting and software, serving over 110 operators globally.
Recognizing the lack of mobile telecommunications in Africa despite high demand, Ibrahim launched Celtel International in 1998. This venture aimed to provide mobile services across the continent.
Under his leadership, Celtel expanded rapidly, operating in 14 African countries and amassing over 24 million subscribers by the time it was sold in 2005 for $3.4 billion to Kuwait’s Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC).
Since then, Mr. Ibrahim has actively been promoting good governance and leadership in Africa through the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, which he founded in 2006.
Mohammed Ibrahim Family
A devout family man, the billionaire is married to Hania Morsi Fadl. The couple has been blessed with several children, among them Hadeel Ibrahim and Jane Ibrahim, a British actress.
