Nassef Sawiris

$9.23 B

Ranked #372 in World

About Nassef Sawiris

Egyptian tycoon Nassef Onsi Sawiris, with an estimated net worth of $8.7 billion as of October 2021, stands as Egypt's wealthiest individual and the 4th richest in Africa. Born in 1961 and a University of Chicago economics grad, Sawiris built his fortune through Orascom group's construction arm and later through sporting investments, including a major stake in Aston Villa. Known for his strategic expansions and significant sports industry contributions, Sawiris is a pivotal figure in global business and philanthropy.

Born

January 19, 1961

Age

65 years

Source Of Wealth

Construction, Investments

Industries

Construction & Engineering

Citizenship

Egypt

Residence

Cairo

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science, University of Chicago

Nassef Onsi Sawiris, the youngest son of Onsi Sawiris, was born on January 19, 1961. He received his secondary education at Deutsche Evangelische Oberschule Kairo before pursuing a Bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Chicago, which he completed in 1982.

Nassef Sawiris: Family

Nassef Onsi Sawiris is married to Sherine, and they have four children together. The family resides primarily in Cairo, Egypt, but also maintains a residence in New York City. Nassef Sawiris identifies as a Coptic Christian.

Nassef Sawiris: Career Highlights

Nassef Sawiris joined the Orascom group in 1982, where he initially focused on construction activities. After 1995, he oversaw the construction activities of Orascom Construction and eventually became the CEO of Orascom Construction Industries in 1998. Throughout his career, he has held various leadership positions, including board memberships at Besix (2004-2017), the Cairo and Alexandria Stock Exchanges (2004-2007), and the Dubai International Financial Exchange (2008-2010). He served as the CEO of OCI NV in 2013 and became a board member of LafargeHolcim in 2015. In 2016, he was appointed as a supervisory director of Adidas AG. Additionally, he founded Avanti Acquisition Corp in 2020, which was later wound up in 2022.

Nassef Sawiris: Companies

Nassef Sawiris has been involved with several notable companies throughout his career, including:

Orascom group
Orascom Construction
Orascom Construction Industries
Besix
Cairo and Alexandria Stock Exchanges
Dubai International Financial Exchange
OCI NV
LafargeHolcim
Adidas AG
Avanti Acquisition Corp
V Sports
Aston Villa
Vitória S.C.

Nassef Sawiris: Major Achievements

Nassef Sawiris has achieved significant success in the business world, leading to his recognition as the richest Egyptian and the fourth richest African, with an estimated net worth of $8.7 billion as of October 2021. His contributions to the construction industry, sports ownership, and various leadership positions have solidified his reputation as a prominent figure in the business community.

Nassef Sawiris: Awards & Achievements

Nassef Sawiris has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to business and philanthropy.

Some notable recognitions include:

Forbes Middle East's "Top 100 Arab Businessmen" (2013)
Arabian Business Power 500 (2014)
Forbes Africa's "50 Richest Africans" (2015)
CEO Middle East's "Businessman of the Year" (2016)
Forbes Middle East's "Top 100 Arab Businessmen" (2017)

Nassef Sawiris: Personal Life & Legacy

Nassef Sawiris is actively involved in philanthropic endeavors and serves on the Board of Trustees at the University of Chicago. He is also a member of the Global Board of Advisors for the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and the International Leadership Board of the Cleveland Clinic. His contributions to these organizations reflect his commitment to education, global affairs, and healthcare.

Nassef Sawiris: Trivia

Nassef Sawiris has a keen interest in sports and has made significant investments in football teams. He co-owns V Sports with Wes Edens, which holds ownership stakes in Aston Villa (Premier League) and Vitória S.C. (Primeira Liga). Sawiris is also involved in discussions to establish a Major League Soccer team in Las Vegas, known as the "Las Vegas Villains." Additionally, he holds a 6.3% stake in MSG Sports, which owns the New York Knicks and New York Rangers.

Wealth History

Timeline

January 19, 1961

Nassef Onsi Sawiris was born.

1982

Sawiris joined the Orascom group.

1995

Sawiris oversaw construction activities of Orascom Construction.

1998

Sawiris became the CEO of Orascom Construction Industries.

2004-2007

Sawiris served on the board of directors of the Cairo and Alexandria Stock Exchanges.

2004-2017

Sawiris served on the board of Besix.

2008-2010

Sawiris served on the board of directors of the Dubai International Financial Exchange.

2013

Sawiris became the CEO of OCI NV.

2015

Sawiris became a board member of LafargeHolcim.

2016

Sawiris became a supervisory director of Adidas AG.

2018

Sawiris and Wes Edens purchased a 55% controlling stake in Aston Villa.

2019

Aston Villa was promoted back to the Premier League and Sawiris bought out the remaining shares.

2020

Sawiris founded Avanti Acquisition Corp, which was wound up in 2022.

2021

NSWE holding company was rebranded to V Sports.

2023

V Sports purchased a 46% stake in Vitória S.C.

Nassef Sawiris : FAQs

What is Nassef Sawiris's current net worth?

Nassef Sawiris's current net worth is $9.23 billion.

What is Nassef Sawiris's current global rank among billionaires?

Nassef Sawiris holds the 372nd position globally among billionaires.

What is Nassef Sawiris's current ranking within the Egypt?

Nassef Sawiris holds the 1st position in Egypt.

What was the change in Nassef Sawiris's net worth compared to the previous year?

Nassef Sawiris's net worth increased by 610.66 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 8.62 billion dollars.

What is the recent change in Nassef Sawiris's net worth?

Nassef Sawiris's net worth decreased by 45.53 million dollars recently, a 0.49% decrease, with his net worth standing at 9.23 billion dollars.

What are Nassef Sawiris's main sources of wealth?

Nassef Sawiris's main source of income comes from Construction, Investments.

In which industry does Nassef Sawiris primarily operate?

Nassef Sawiris is primarily involved in the Construction & Engineering industry.

What is Nassef Sawiris educational background?

Nassef Sawiris holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from the University of Chicago.

How old is Nassef Sawiris?

Nassef Sawiris is 65 years old.

How many children does Nassef Sawiris have?

Nassef Sawiris has 4 children.

Can you outline Nassef Onsi Sawiris' career progression in the Orascom group?

Nassef Onsi Sawiris joined Orascom group in 1982, became head of construction activities of Orascom Construction after 1995, CEO of Orascom Construction Industries in 1998, and later CEO of OCI NV in 2013, among other significant roles.

What are the key details of Nassef Onsi Sawiris' involvement with Aston Villa football club?

Nassef Onsi Sawiris, co-owning with Wes Edens, purchased a 55% controlling stake in Aston Villa in 2018, fully acquired the club in 2019 after promotion to the Premier League, and has since invested around £360m in share capital and started a £100m project to expand Villa Park.

How has Nassef Onsi Sawiris contributed to the sporting industry, particularly football?

Nassef Onsi Sawiris, through his company V Sports, co-owns Aston Villa in the Premier League and holds a 46% stake in Vitória S.C., with plans to invest significantly in the teams and infrastructure, as well as potentially forming a Major League Soccer team in Las Vegas.