Sameer Merali

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Sameer Merali is a Director of Sameer Africa Limited, part of Sameer Group, the largest economic force in Kenya.

The son of Dr. Naushad Merali, the Group’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, he is regarded as a rising star with huge potential.

Merali holds an M.Sc. in Banking and International Finance and a B.Sc. (Hons) in Management Sciences, both from the University of London.His first job was as an Investment Analyst with Merrill Lynch International Bank in London, then he joined Sameer Investments Limited in 2003.

He has served as Non-Executive Director of Sameer Africa since 2012, and is a member of the audit risk and corporate governance committee of the board.

Wide interests

The Sameer Group has wide interests ranging from agriculture and agribusiness to telecommunications (Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd, Altech Kenya Data Networks Ltd, Altech Swift Global Kenya Ltd), financial services (Equatorial Commercial Bank Ltd) and Sameer Business Park, an ultra-modern 500,000sq ft of showrooms and offices.

Merali is Chairman of the Board of Ryce East Africa and of Nandi Tea Estates, Executive Director / Financial Analyst of Sameer Investments Ltd and its subsidiaries, Director at Sasini Ltd and at Farmsecure Holding Ltd, South Africa, as well as Alternate Director on behalf of Sameer ICT at Altech Kenya Data Networks, Altech Swift Global and Infocom Ltd.

The listed companies employ over 50,000 people in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa.

Among other things, Merali has specialised in evaluating the day-to-day functions of companies and implementing projects and products.

Giving back

Merali shares his expertise to promote best practice. He has been a Member of the Young Presidents Organisation (YPO) Nairobi Chapter since 2006. YPO is the world’s premier leadership organisation and forms a global network of young chief executives.He bolsters this international scope as Alumni Country Representative for Kenya of Kings College London.

He is also Member of Superbrands Council for East Africa. Superbrands is the world’s largest independent arbiter of branding. It identifies and pays tribute to exceptional brands by recognising, rewarding and reinforcing leading brands from all over the world. The organisation runs the Superbrands award schemes and promotional programmes.

As heir apparent to the Sameer Group, Merali is destined to continue its superbrand status in Africa, strengtheningits position, maintaining its prestige and setting the brand apart from its competitors.