"Most of the money I made has gone back to Africa, or is going back to Africa."
Big Ambition

From humble beginnings in Sudan as the son of a clerk, Mo Ibrahim has had quite a journey. Now worth over £1.5 billion, the entrepreneur and philanthropist is changing lives across Africa by using his money and influence to encourage clean politics.

Mo moved to the UK from Sudan in 1974 to study. After a period working at BT Cellnet – now known as O2 – he founded MSI (Mobile Systems International), which he sold for £324 million in 2000. His next company, Celtel, was bought for a reported £5.1 billion and now provides mobile phone coverage for more than 25 million people in Africa.

While doing business in Africa, Mo recognised that the economic and social prospects of its people rest on the men and women in positions of power. In order to strengthen leadership throughout the continent, he set up a foundation to rate countries on their quality of governance and shame governments whose ratings were low. He also set up the Ibrahim Prize, which offers a prize of £3.1 million to recognise achievement of former leaders and provide a way in which they can build positive legacies once they have left office.

Despite living in the UK for most of his life, Mo has never forgotten where he came from and is dedicated to improving the prospects of his home continent. "I'm the same African boy who grew up, came here and worked hard,” he says. “I'm the same person. I still drive the same type of car. I live in the same house. Most of the money I made has gone back to Africa, or is going back to Africa. I decided the money will go into something really effective and worthwhile." An incredible businessman and proud African, he is an inspiration to us all.

Story provided by William Easterly

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