Narendra Raval

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Narendra Raval
Born1962 (age 58–59)
India
NationalityIndian
CitizenshipKenyan
OccupationIndustrialist, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist
Years active1986 - present
Known forPhilanthropy, Entrepreneurship
TitleExecutive Chairman of the Devki Group of Companies

Narendra Raval, is a Kenyan industrialist, entrepreneur and philanthropist, who serves as the Executive Chairman of the Devki Group of Companies, a conglomerate in East Africa that manufactures steel, aluminum and cement. He is estimated to have a net worth of US$400 million as of 2015 and ranks 46th richest African and 2nd richest Kenyan based on the 2015 Forbes list of Africa's richest in Kenya.[1]

Background[]

He was born in India circa 1962. He became a priest at the temple of the Brahmin Hindu sect at age 11 years, while still in India. While still a teenager, Raval came to Kenya to work as an assistant priest at a temple in Kisumu, in the western part of Kenya, on the shores of Lake Victoria. In 1986, he abandoned his priesthood, married a Kenyan woman and with his wife started trading in building materials, starting out in the open marketplace (Gikomba), in Nairobi.[2][3]

Career[]

Over the next 35 years, beginning in 1986, Raval has built an industrial empire of companies that manufacture building materials in various locations in Kenya and a subsidiary in neighboring Uganda. His conglomerate is also reported to maintain a subsidiary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As of April 2021, the Devki Group of Companies that he founded have manufacturing revenue in excess of US$650 million annually. His personal net worth is estimated in excess of US$500 million. Devki Group employs over 6,500 people, as of April 2021.[3]

The companies of the Devki Group include, but are not limited to the list below. They span manufacture of steel, aluminum and cement. One company is into aviation. Devki Group also owns a cement manufacturing factory in the Ugandan border town of Tororo.[4] 1. Devki Steel Mills Limited, 2. Maisha Mabati Mills Limited, 3. National Cement Company Limited, 4. Maisha Packaging Company Limited, 5. Northwood Aviation and 6. Simba Cement Uganda Limited.[4]

Family[]

Narendra Raval is married to Neeta Raval, a medical doctor.[5] Together they are parents to three children, two sons and a daughter.[3]

Other considerations[]

Narendra Raval is a passionate philanthropist who has publicly pledged to leave 50 percent of his wealth to charity and the remaining 50 percent to his children.[5] His autobiography titled "Guru: A Long Walk To Success by Narendra Raval with Kailash Mota" was released in 2018.[6] Raval is reported to donate all proceeds from the book to charity.[3]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Mfonobong Nsehe (18 November 2015). "2015 Africa's 50 Richest Net Worth: #46 Narendra Raval: US$400 Million (As of 18 November 2025)". Forbes.com. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  2. ^ Devki Group of Companies (10 December 2021). "The $400 Million Man Of Steel Who Said No To Africa's Richest Man". Ruiru, Kenya: Devki Group Kenya. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d Jackson Biko (23 April 2021). "Narendra Raval: Billionaire who rides boda boda, has one pair of shoes". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b Devki Group (23 April 2021). "Company Profile of the Devki Group". Ruiru, Kenya: Devki Group. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  5. ^ a b Nairobi News (2 April 2020). "Coronavirus: Devki billionaire Narendra Raval donates Sh100m oxygen". Nairobi News. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  6. ^ Diana Ngila (20 September 2018). "Billionaire Narendra Raval's long walk to success". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 23 April 2021.

External links[]

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