Meet The 30 Lebanese Family Dynasties In Africa
Like their great ancestors the Phoenicians , the 'masters of trade', Lebanese have embarked on journeys traveling the earth far and wide for the sake of business.
Some found a home along the west coast of the magnificent continent of Africa, a land quite different from their own in many ways. Nonetheless, they managed to prosper in whichever direction the wind blew them.
Their names have soared to fame for their remarkable wealth-generating success, becoming known as dynasties in the African continent.
According to The Africa Report, they are known as the 30 Lebanese dynasties in Africa, and here they are:
#1 Abi Jaoudi - Liberia
ABI JAOUDI
Founded by Elie Abou Jaoude, the family business extends into multiple ones across Liberia, from the famous Abi Jaoudi Supermarkets to casinos, hotels (Ria Hotels & Resorts), restaurants, exclusive brands' importation, distribution, and manufacturing, as well as wholesale, retail, warehousing, and food services.
Abou Jaoude was born in Antelias into a poor family. In 1948, aged 15, he emigrated to Africa and eventually established with his cousins, in 1953, the Abi Jaoudi and Azar Trading Corporation (AJA Group).
By 1968, his company was the exclusive importer and distributor of premium brands in Liberia, leading to the opening of the Abi Jaoudi Supermarkets in 1970.
From there, the empire extended to multiple successful businesses, with his sons appointed managing directors.
Worth mentioning that Elie Abou Jaoude returned to Lebanon in 1982 and built the iconic Saint Elie Center in his city of birth, Antelias, and invested in various real-estate developments.
AJA-Group heritage
He passed away in 2015 but his dynasty continues to bloom. Among the many featured articles about the family, FrontPage Africa headlined one of its publications in 2017: Who’s Running Liberia? Ask George Abi Jaoudi. He was reportedly close to Africa's first female president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who is believed to be of Lebanese descent .
#2 Achcar - Mali
Gérard Achcar with Mali's former president during the inauguration of one of his factories in Mali in 2008 - Photo : Présidence du Mali
One of the most notable businessmen in Mali is Gerard Achcar, inheritor and owner of Achcar Mali Industries (AMI) founded by his father and which he massively developed. Gerard Achcar imposed himself in the agri-food sector, turning AMI into one of the colossal leaders in the country's food industry.
Achcar Group also owns the Grands Moulins du Mali, a flour mill and pasta factory in Niger and his said dynasty extends to various trades and productions, including sugar, electric batteries, wheat, mineral water, and oil.
maliactu.net
Achcar is also in the financial sector. According to documents revealed by the Panama media and Le Monde, in 2016, "the Lebanese-Malian tycoon is a shareholder and principal beneficiary of the company Grieta Consulting SA" created in 2014 and with business links to European countries and Panama.
#3 Beydoun / Yeshi Group - Côte d’Ivoire
Financial Afrik
Abdul Hussein Beydoun is a Lebanese entrepreneur who started with humble jobs at the age of 16 in his beginnings in Abidjan in 1977. He now owns and runs the Yeshi group that acquired the Bernabé company that deals with building materials and DYI, from the French group Descours & Cabaud.
Eventually the Beydoun family reached a turnover of €71.7m in 2017. His work is present in eight countries and he is currently investing in a 45,000 m2 shopping center in Abidjan.
#4 Chagoury - Nigeria
Gilbert Chagoury and Former US President Clinton - Photo: La Diplomatie
The billionaire brothers Gilbert and Roland Chagoury own an industrial conglomerate in Nigeria. Their multiple businesses include construction, real estate, hotels, milling, insurance, telecoms, flour mills, water bottling and purification, glass manufacturing, IT, catering, and international financing. Their net worth in 2018 was $1.0 billion.
Gilbert Chagoury is also known for his philanthropic generosity in financing the building of hospitals and schools and donating to arts. According to The Africa Report, "a gallery at the Louvre Museum, of which he is a generous donor, bears his name and that of Rose-Marie, his wife."
#5 Darwish - Nigeria
Forbes Focus
Issam Darwish and William Saad are the founders of the IHS group in Nigeria- one of the largest telecommunications infrastructure providers in Africa. Darwish also founded other smaller businesses, including Dar Properties, Dar Telecom, and Vorex in the US and the middle east. His net worth is estimated at around $200 million.