When people talk about the new face of African entrepreneurship, Ashish J. Thakkar often comes up. Born in the UK to Indian-Ugandan parents, forced into exile during Idi Amin’s rule, and later returning to East Africa as a teenager, Thakkar embodies resilience, hustle, and vision. As the founder of the Mara Group and Mara Foundation, he has dedicated his career to pan-African venture building and youth entrepreneurship.
1. Starting Young: A Teen Entrepreneur in Kampala
At just 15, Thakkar borrowed $5,000 to start a small IT business in Kampala, importing computer parts from Dubai and reselling them in Uganda. From this humble beginning, he built what would become the Mara Group, a diversified conglomerate spanning technology, real estate, financial services, and manufacturing.
- His early story is relatable for many African youth: no trust fund, no connections, just grit and creativity.
- By his mid-20s, he had already become a recognized entrepreneur across East Africa.
2. Mara Group: Pan-African Ambitions
Mara Group is one of Africa’s first pan-African, youth-led conglomerates. Unlike many family-run or foreign-led enterprises, Thakkar positioned Mara as a company that would build from Africa, for Africa.
- Industries: The group has operated in 20+ countries, with investments in ICT, BPO, real estate, banking, and renewable energy.
- Mara Phones: In 2019, Mara launched the first “Made-in-Africa” smartphones, manufactured in Rwanda and South Africa, symbolizing Africa’s ability to produce—not just consume—technology.
- Venture Partnerships: Mara often co-invests with international players, creating bridges between African opportunities and global capital.
3. Mara Foundation: Youth Empowerment at Scale
Perhaps Thakkar’s most influential contribution is through the Mara Foundation, his non-profit arm focusing on entrepreneurship and mentorship.
- Mentorship Model: Pairs young entrepreneurs with experienced business leaders across Africa.
- Training & Support: Offers workshops, digital resources, and incubation opportunities.
- Youth Focus: Special emphasis on first-time founders, women-led businesses, and startups outside Africa’s traditional hubs.
Through this work, Mara Foundation has supported tens of thousands of young entrepreneurs, empowering them to start, grow, and scale businesses across diverse industries.
4. Global Influence & Advocacy
Thakkar has used his visibility to spotlight African entrepreneurship globally:
- Named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.
- Served as Chair of the United Nations Foundation’s Global Entrepreneurs Council.
- Advocates for African youth as the continent’s greatest untapped resource, urging policymakers and investors to invest in education, skills, and digital inclusion.
He has also been vocal about changing the narrative of Africa: not as a continent of aid and dependency, but as a hub of innovation, resilience, and enterprise.
5. Philosophy: Africa’s Youth as the Engine
At the heart of Thakkar’s mission is a simple idea: Africa’s future depends on unleashing its youth.
- With over 60% of Africa’s population under 25, job creation and entrepreneurship are urgent.
- Thakkar positions Mara as not just a business, but a platform for enabling youth to create opportunities, wealth, and jobs.
- His leadership emphasizes collaboration across borders, seeing Africa’s growth as a continental—not just national—project.
6. Why Ashish J. Thakkar Matters as a Change-Maker
- Pioneer: Proved that young Africans can build multinational businesses from scratch.
- Innovator: Championed “Made in Africa” manufacturing with Mara Phones.
- Mentor: Through Mara Foundation, he’s building a pipeline of Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs.
- Bridge-Builder: Connects African startups with global investors and networks.
Final Word
Ashish J. Thakkar is more than a businessman—he is a youth ambassador and ecosystem builder. His work with Mara Group and Mara Foundation reflects a belief that Africa’s destiny rests in the hands of its young people.
From assembling computer parts in Kampala to launching factories and mentorship platforms across the continent, Thakkar represents the entrepreneurial spirit that is reshaping Africa. He shows that the true wealth of Africa isn’t its resources—it’s its people, especially its youth.
In championing them, Ashish J. Thakkar has earned his place among Africa’s most influential change-makers.
