Dewji invests $275m in graphite mining, plans luxury tourism in Tanzania
Tanzania’s richest man, Mohammed Dewji, plans to invest about $275 million in graphite mining through his MeTL Group, with commercial production expected within the next 18 months, aiming to supply battery-grade graphite to Europe, Japan and South Korea after initial 94% purity output for Chinese refiners. The move is part of a strategy to more than triple MeTL’s annual revenue to $10 billion by 2035. Dewji is also developing an ultra-luxury resort on a 150‑hectare island near Zanzibar and securing a concession in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park for a high‑end lodge targeting affluent international tourists. MeTL Group operates in 11 African countries, employs over 40,000 people and manufactures more than 50 product categories spanning agribusiness, food processing, FMCG, financial services and logistics. Dewji said he is working with European partners to understand battery‑grade graphite specifications and sourcing processing technology from China, while global graphite demand is projected to create a supply deficit in the early 2030s as EV adoption rises. For Nigerian entrepreneurs and investors, the deal highlights growing opportunities in critical minerals linked to the clean energy transition and premium tourism, suggesting potential avenues for partnership, investment or diversification into similar high‑growth sectors. Will you consider exploring graphite‑related ventures, luxury tourism projects, or strategic alliances with East African firms to tap into these emerging markets?