African billionaire by destiny: Prateek Suri’s meteoric rise redraws Africa’s investment landscape

BY LAUREATE ODEDEE

In a stunning turn of events that has rippled across Africa’s economic circles, African billionaire tech entrepreneur Prateek Suri, founder of consumer electronics powerhouse Maser Group, has emerged as one of the most influential billionaires on the continent—fueled by a string of high-stakes investments and visionary partnerships. His journey, described by many as serendipitous, is now solidifying Africa’s place on the map as a thriving destination for tech, infrastructure, and sustainable development.

Following the historic acquisition of Maser Group by Chia Ventures for $5 billion, Suri, alongside influential African political strategist Adam Iloh, launched MDR Investment, a multifaceted venture capital and infrastructure investment firm set to redefine Africa’s economic future.

Maser Group’s dominance in the African consumer electronics space—especially in QLED and large-format smart TVs—earned Suri admiration across Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya. But the billionaire entrepreneur’s recent moves show he’s not stopping at screens.

MDR Investment, born out of Maser’s billion-dollar success, has quickly attracted global attention, particularly after securing a $200 million funding deal for luxury yacht trading and reselling across the continent. The deal, backed by Chia Ventures, marks one of Africa’s boldest forays into the lifestyle and maritime leisure industry—a space typically reserved for elite Western markets.

Among Suri’s most notable ventures is a $48 million lease agreement with an African government for the development of climate-conscious infrastructure. This initiative focuses on sustainable construction that aligns with Africa’s climate action goals—building communities that are green, resilient, and ready for the future.

Africa deserves the best of innovation and the promise of sustainability, and we intend to deliver both, at scale,” Suri noted during a private investment roundtable in Lagos. “We are not just building structures, we are designing the future of African living.”

Parallel to this, MDR has unveiled plans to spearhead large-scale socio-economic housing developments—a response to Africa’s rapid urbanization and growing middle class. These projects will prioritize affordability, clean energy, and digital infrastructure—catering to Africa’s young, tech-savvy population.

MDR Investment has also taken bold steps in the mining sector, targeting high-value mineral deposits in West and Southern Africa. With a strategic focus on responsible extraction and value-chain development, the company aims to create jobs and drive local industrialization while partnering with governments to ensure equitable benefits for host communities.

In addition to his ventures, Suri announced the establishment of a charitable trust, aimed at supporting education, innovation hubs, and climate resilience programs across underserved African regions. This trust will be funded through a portion of Maser’s annual profits and MDR’s diversified portfolio revenues.

“Wealth must serve humanity. Africa gave me a stage, and I owe it a legacy, not just a balance sheet,” Suri declared in a heartfelt statement.

Vikram Singh, the media and legal head of Maser Group, has described the partnership between Suri and Adam Iloh as “Africa’s new economic duo,”.  “Their complementary strengths—Suri’s entrepreneurial flair and Iloh’s strategic political understanding—are reshaping investment narratives and creating pathways for global capital to meet African opportunity.”

As Suri’s empire expands from electronics to yachts, real estate, and mining, his destiny seems intricately tied to Africa’s own story of emergence. From Dubai boardrooms to dusty construction sites in Dakar, he is building not just brands—but a bold future for a continent on the rise.  Suri is known to own a luxurious golf-course mansion in Lagos, a symbol of his taste for elegance and success on the continent.