Nassef Sawiris is one of Egypt’s most prominent global business leaders and one of the most influential figures in international industry and finance. He is the Executive Chairman of OCI Global, a leading producer of nitrogen fertilizers and industrial chemicals headquartered in the Netherlands, and a major shareholder of Adidas AG. Born in Aswan, Egypt, in 1961, he is the youngest son of construction magnate Onsi Sawiris, founder of the Orascom conglomerate. Today, Nassef Sawiris is not only Egypt’s wealthiest individual but also one of the most respected industrial strategists in Europe and the Middle East. His leadership has transformed OCI into a global powerhouse in clean ammonia, hydrogen, and sustainable chemicals. He also serves on the boards of Adidas AG, Ferrous Resources Ltd, and the University of Chicago, combining Egyptian entrepreneurial heritage with a truly global corporate vision.
Nassef Sawiris EOTW #9 (25 November 2025)
Nassef Sawiris (born January 19, 1961) is an Egyptian billionaire businessman whose influence extends across construction, energy, manufacturing, finance, and global sports. As the youngest son of Onsi Sawiris, founder of the Orascom Group, Nassef inherited not only his family’s business acumen but also a commitment to global innovation and corporate responsibility. His professional journey illustrates how Egyptian enterprise evolved into an international network of businesses spanning multiple continents.
Early Life and Education
Sawiris was born in Aswan, Egypt, and raised in Cairo in one of the country’s most successful business families. He completed his secondary education in Egypt before moving to the United States, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Chicago in 1982. His exposure to Western economic theory and management practices would later shape his approach to industrial strategy and global investment.
Rise in Orascom and Founding of OCI Global
Upon joining the family business, Nassef Sawiris initially worked in Orascom Construction Industries (OCI), where he played a decisive role in expanding the company from a local contractor into one of the Middle East’s largest multinational corporations. Under his leadership, OCI diversified into cement, fertilizers, and infrastructure, serving markets across Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
In 2013, following a series of corporate restructurings, Sawiris established OCI N.V. (now OCI Global), headquartered in Amsterdam. The company became one of the world’s leading producers of nitrogen fertilizers and natural gas-based industrial chemicals. It operates major plants in the United States, the Netherlands, and the Middle East. Under Sawiris’s vision, OCI Global has invested heavily in clean ammonia and hydrogen technologies, positioning itself as a leader in the emerging low-carbon energy economy.
Global Investments and Board Leadership
Beyond OCI, Nassef Sawiris maintains an extensive portfolio of international investments. He is one of the largest shareholders in Adidas AG, where he has served on the Supervisory Board since 2016, helping guide the company’s long-term strategy and brand transformation. His strategic insight into global consumer trends and industrial logistics has earned him recognition as a forward-thinking board member.
He also co-owns Aston Villa Football Club in the English Premier League, alongside American investor Wes Edens. Under their stewardship, Aston Villa has undergone a successful revival, returning to top-flight competition and European football prominence.
Sawiris previously chaired OCI Partners LP and Orascom Construction PLC, which is listed on NASDAQ Dubai and the Egyptian Exchange. His leadership across these entities reflects a rare combination of deep operational expertise and global financial strategy.
Philanthropy and Academic Engagement
Committed to education and social development, Nassef Sawiris serves as a trustee of the University of Chicago, his alma mater, and supports numerous educational initiatives through the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, established by his family. The foundation focuses on education, employment, and youth empowerment in Egypt, channeling private-sector resources into sustainable development.
He also supports cultural and academic exchange programs, believing that access to world-class education and research is essential for national advancement. His endowments have enabled scholarships for Egyptian students studying at global institutions.
Recognition and Wealth
As of 2025, Sawiris consistently ranks among Forbes’ Billionaires List, with an estimated net worth exceeding $8 billion, making him Egypt’s richest individual and one of the top industrialists in the Middle East. He has been featured by Bloomberg, Financial Times, and Forbes Middle East as a transformative business leader redefining Egyptian capitalism for the global era.
Vision and Legacy
Nassef Sawiris embodies the evolution of Egypt’s private sector into an international force. His strategic foresight in energy transition, industrial innovation, and cross-border investment has positioned Egyptian enterprise at the heart of global economic transformation. By combining deep family values with modern corporate governance, he has built institutions that balance profitability with sustainability.
His dual role as an investor and industrial operator makes him one of the few Egyptian-born executives shaping both Europe’s and the Middle East’s industrial future. From Cairo to Amsterdam to London, Sawiris continues to demonstrate that Egyptian leadership can compete, collaborate, and thrive on a global scale.