“WakaWaka is spreading light and hope into the lives of refugees in Syria.” – Ashish J. Thakkar
Thanks to Daniel Stephen (Dr. Progress) of the Global Shapers Kampala Hub for making this endorsement possible.
About Ashish J. Thakkar
Ashish is a serial entrepreneur who founded his first business in 1996 at the age of 15 with a $5,000 loan. Since then, he has driven the growth of the company from a small IT business in Uganda to the globally recognised multi-sector investment group that exists today. Through its investments, Mara Group now employs over 8,000 people across 19 African countries in sectors spanning IT services, manufacturing, real estate and agriculture. Ashish continues to drive the business development and strategy of Mara.
In 2012, Ashish was appointed a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in recognition of his success and leadership in driving social and economic change in Africa. Ashish is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Africa and was recently awarded ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ at the World Entrepreneurship Forum in Singapore. Ashish advises several heads of state in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ashish is passionate about enabling, empowering and inspiring young male and female entrepreneurs. Consequently, in 2009, he founded the Mara Foundation to foster and support emerging entrepreneurs through mentorship and venture philanthropy.
Born in the UK, Ashish and his family moved back to Africa after surviving the historic Rwandan genocide and generational exile of African families. He grew up in the UK and Uganda and now lives between Dubai and Kampala, Uganda. Ashish has secured a place on Virgin Galactic’s inaugural mission to space, thereby making him Africa’s second astronaut.