The 100: Prateek Suri, Chairman, Maser Group | Founder, MDR Investments Whether advancing AI-powered consumer technology, investing in digital infrastructure, or backing the next generation of African founders, his vision is expansive and deeply rooted in the continent's potential.

This article forms part of The 100, Entrepreneur Middle East's annual guide spotlighting the most influential people across the GCC.

Prateek Suri's rise reads like a modern epic of ambition, resilience, and perfectly timed conviction. Widely recognized as the richest Indian in Africa, with an estimated net worth of US$1.9 billion, Suri has earned the moniker "The Technology Tiger of Africa" for building one of the continent's most powerful consumer technology empires—and then leveraging that success to shape Africa's next chapter of growth.

Born into a family with deep roots in electronics, Suri's journey was anything but linear. After graduating in engineering from BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, he faced a string of professional rejections while trying to break into banking in the Middle East. At his lowest point—having sold his car, closed his apartment, and prepared to leave Dubai—he received a long-awaited job offer. In a defining moment, he declined it. Instead, with no external funding, he chose entrepreneurship, launching a small software business that would later become the financial foundation for something far bigger.

That vision crystallised in 2014, when Suri entered consumer electronics, determined to revive the values he had inherited from his father: quality, affordability, and trust. Early success in trading branded electronics in India was abruptly halted by regulatory changes, forcing him to shut down operations. Rather than retreat, Suri pivoted again—this time creating Maser, an assembly-led electronics brand built for adaptability.

A twist of fate redirected Maser's trajectory toward Africa. A shipment diverted from India to Dubai found unexpected demand in African markets, revealing a massive gap: premium feeling yet affordable televisions tailored to a fast-growing, youthful population. Suri moved decisively. By studying Africa's fragmented distribution networks and under-served consumers, he built a high-touch model that reached both major cities and remote towns. Maser rapidly expanded across Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and beyond, establishing itself as a brand that understood local realities better than global giants.

Between 2018 and 2020, Maser led a smart-TV revolution. As connectivity and streaming surged across Africa, Suri's team launched customised smart televisions with intuitive interfaces, voice control, and OTT integrations—without compromising price. Local assembly plants, rapid innovation cycles, and relentless focus on value allowed Maser to overtake established multinationals in unit sales across key markets. Repeat customers became the brand's strongest endorsement.

By the early 2020s, Maser had evolved from a television manufacturer into a lifestyle technology brand. Its portfolio expanded into home appliances, wellness tech, smart homes, and gaming ecosystems, all developed through rigorous R&D pipelines that fused design, data, and artificial intelligence. In 2024, Maser crossed US$1 billion in annual revenue. Soon after, a landmark US$5 billion acquisition by Asia's Chia Group marked one of the most prominent technology exits in Africa, cementing Suri's status as a continental business force.

Yet Maser was never the final destination. Building on its success, Suri founded MDR Investments, a venture capital and strategic investment platform focused on Africa and the Gulf. Through MDR, he deploys capital into high-growth startups and large-scale assets spanning mining, infrastructure, ports, shipping, artificial intelligence, data centres, and luxury yacht trading. The firm positions itself as a bridge between global capital and Africa's long-term development story—pragmatic, patient, and purpose-driven.

Beyond balance sheets, Suri's influence extends into philanthropy through the Maser Foundation. Guided by his belief that wealth carries responsibility, the foundation channels resources into social impact initiatives across Africa, reinforcing his philosophy of building businesses that create shared value.

Looking ahead, Suri remains firmly focused on the future. Whether advancing AI-powered consumer technology, investing in digital infrastructure, or backing the next generation of African founders, his vision is expansive and deeply rooted in the continent's potential. Prateek Suri has not only built a billion-dollar empire; he has helped redefine what global technology leadership can look like when ambition meets emerging markets—and stays committed for the long run.