Prateek Suri has become a household name across the African business landscape. At just 36 years old, he holds the distinguished title of the youngest and richest Indian in Africa, with an estimated net worth of $1.9 billion. His empire cuts across consumer electronics, mining, shipping, and artificial intelligence. Yet, what makes his story remarkable is not simply the wealth he has created, but the vision, resilience, and commitment to transformation that have fuelled his rise.
Early life
Born in New Delhi, Prateek Suri’s entrepreneurial instincts emerged early. After completing his schooling at Modern School, Barakhamba Road, he relocated to the United Arab Emirates in 2006 to study mechanical engineering at BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus. The UAE proved pivotal. Surrounded by nearly 200 nationalities and exposed to a government that championed enterprise through initiatives such as JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority), Suri developed the mindset and ambition that would later shape his empire in Africa.
Building Maser Group
In 2012, Prateek Suri founded Maser Group with a simple mission: to deliver affordable, high-quality consumer electronics to African markets. Starting with smart televisions, Maser quickly became a household name. By 2024, the company had sold more than 800,000 televisions, generated revenues of over $500 million, and was officially recognised as Africa’s seventh unicorn with a valuation exceeding $5 billion. This success was no coincidence. Suri recognised Africa as a land of vast opportunity, underserved by major electronics providers yet full of untapped consumer demand. By focusing on affordability, durability, and local consumer needs, he built a company that transformed how Africans accessed technology.
Suri’s personal fortune accelerated in 2024, when a major Asian conglomerate acquired a significant stake in Maser Group. This deal propelled his net worth past $1.4 billion, cementing his place as both the richest Indian in Africa and one of the most influential young billionaires on the continent.
Under his leadership, Maser expanded its portfolio beyond televisions into refrigerators, air conditioners, and other household appliances. The brand also pioneered UV-C technology in the region, reflecting Suri’s constant push to blend innovation with consumer needs.
MDR Investments
Never content with a single success story, Prateek Suri launched MDR Investments to broaden his impact across frontier industries. Through this holding company, he secured mining rights for gold and tantalum, invested in large-scale housing and shipping projects, and entered Africa’s fast-growing artificial intelligence sector. This diversification not only solidified his status as a billionaire but also positioned him as a strategic architect of Africa’s industrial and technological future.
Philanthropy
In 2025, Suri transitioned from entrepreneur to philanthropist with the creation of the Maser Foundation. Inspired by his mother’s quiet acts of kindness, he has always believed that wealth without impact is incomplete. The Maser Foundation is dedicated to transforming healthcare, education, and women empowerment across Africa. It is investing in accessible clinics, mobile health units, and preventive programmes. It is funding scholarships, digital learning tools, and school infrastructure. And it is equipping women with vocational training, micro-finance, and leadership opportunities. For Suri, this is not charity but legacy, a commitment to shaping the future of Africa for generations.
The road ahead for Prateek Suri
Looking ahead, Suri envisions an even stronger footprint for Maser across Sub-Saharan Africa. He is a vocal supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which he believes will unlock opportunities on a scale comparable to Asia. With Africa’s young and increasingly tech-savvy population, he sees endless potential for growth.
As he often says, “building companies creates prosperity, but building foundations creates hope”. That belief captures not only his journey but also the legacy he is determined to leave behind.
