Early Life and Education
Najib Azmi Mikati was born on November 24, 1955, in Tripoli, Lebanon, into a Sunni Muslim family. He graduated from the American University of Beirut (AUB) in 1980 with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. He also attended advanced management programs at INSEAD and a summer program at Harvard.
Rise to Success
Mikati's business career began in 1982 when he co-founded the telecommunications company Investcom with his brother Taha. Investcom expanded rapidly, building cellphone towers in several African countries. In 2006, he and his brother sold Investcom to South Africa's MTN Group for $5.5 billion. This sale significantly boosted his financial standing. In 2007, the Mikati brothers founded M1 Group, a diversified investment holding company. M1 Group has investments in real estate, fashion, and other sectors. Mikati's business acumen led him to become one of the wealthiest individuals in Lebanon.
Key Business Strategies
Mikati's success stems from strategic investments and a willingness to take risks. His early focus on telecommunications in emerging markets proved highly lucrative. The sale of Investcom was a pivotal moment, allowing him to diversify his investments through M1 Group. M1 Group's diverse portfolio in real estate, fashion, and other industries has helped solidify his wealth and global influence.
Philanthropy
Najib Mikati, along with his brother Taha, established the Azm and Saade Association to carry out charitable and development work across Lebanon. They also founded the MIKATI Foundation, which supports various charitable and development projects across the developing world, including Arab countries and Africa.
