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Kenyan Tycoon Mwale to Invest in Consortium Buying Forbes – Report


Nairobi — Kenyan tycoon Julius Mwale the founder of US $ 2 billion Mwale Medical and Technology City (MMTC) has been named as one of the key investors in Forbes acquisition for US $ 800 million (Sh109 billion).

US publication Axios reported that US technology billionaire Austin Russell was a leader of the consortium that raised money for 82 per cent of Forbes ownership which includes Mwale who is investing billions of shillings, as a key investor in the iconic US media giant.

“Austin Russell, the 28 year old American CEO of Electric vehicle tech company Luminar Technologies plans to put in only $10 million of his own money as part of his bid to buy 82 per cent of Forbes for $656 million, ..the rest is almost all coming from foreign investors,” Axios reported.

“Limited partners of investment group funding bid include: Kenyan businessman Julius Mwale who will put in tens of millions of dollars,” Axios reported.

Other partners include Global Silicon Valley (GSV), a Silicon valley based investment firm, Sun Group a conglomerate from India to invest between USD200 to 300 million, Kazakistan businessman Bulat Utemaratov who is investing $50 million.

Forbes is an iconic US media giant which has over 140 million unique users worldwide, with 55 million unique users based in the United States. Acquisition of Forbes will increase tycoon’s influence over these millions of business oriented users and will be the first time that an African would be among the voices of global iconic media empires which may help change Africa’s perception in the world.

Hong Kong-based Integrated Whale Media (IWM) acquired a majority of Forbes from Forbes family a decade ago and will retain 8% after the sale.

Mwale last month attended Forbes Under 30 Summit in Botswana where he was the keynote speaker.

The Forbes profile of Mwale on the summit’s website outlines his success as an industrial entrepreneur and investor with vast experience of more than 20 years in innovative investments in technology, energy, health, retail, and construction industries.

He is currently the Principal of the US $2 billion MMTC, which is based in Western Kenya.

As the lead investor of MMTC, Mwale invested and mobilized over US $2 billion to build the new city with a 100% green concept. The city is anchored by Hamptons hospital which is providing universal healthcare to 2 million residents in Kakamega County since 2019.