Nasser Al-Kharafi

Nasser Al-Kharafi was a distinguished Kuwaiti business magnate renowned for his extensive contributions to the economic landscape of the Arab world. As the chairman of the Al-Kharafi Group, he expanded the family’s ventures into an internationally recognized conglomerate active across multiple industries, including engineering, food chains, finance, construction, hospitality, and investments.

Under his leadership, the Al-Kharafi Group thrived and featured prominently in Forbes magazine’s global listing of billionaires, estimated with a net worth of approximately $11.5 billion. He earned substantial respect through his significant investments and projects across the Middle East, notably in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and beyond.

Nasser Al-Kharafi actively participated in demonstrations supporting Gamal Abdel Nasser during his youth in Egypt.

Born on January 1, 1944, in Kuwait City, Nasser Al-Kharafi grew up witnessing the rise of his father, Mohammed Abdul-Mohsen Al-Kharafi, a legendary Kuwaiti entrepreneur who founded the Al-Kharafi conglomerate. Shortly after his birth, his father moved the family to Mumbai, India, to oversee his burgeoning business there. Nasser spent his formative years in diverse learning environments, attending private schools in Mumbai, completing part of his education in Egypt, and eventually earning his diploma from Liverpool University in commerce and business management.

During his educational years in Egypt, the political atmosphere profoundly impacted him. Al-Kharafi actively supported Egypt during the Suez Crisis by taking part in demonstrations advocating Arab unity and nationalism under President Gamal Abdel Nasser.

Nasser Al-Kharafi married Fawzia Sayed Ali Sayed Suleiman Al-Rifai, and together they had five children: Marzouq (who later served as Vice Chairman of the Al-Kharafi Group), Badr, Faisal, Hiba, and Huftaf. Al-Kharafi comes from a notable and influential Muslim Kuwaiti family. He was the brother of Jassem Al-Kharafi, former Speaker of Kuwait’s National Assembly and minister, and Fayza Al-Kharafi, the first woman to become President of Kuwait University.

– During the Suez Crisis (1956), he volunteered to fight alongside Egyptian forces.

– Received an honorary doctorate from the American University of Beirut in 2006.

– Awarded Jordan’s Medal of Independence by King Abdullah II in 2004.

– Actively supported opportunities for women and believed in their crucial role in societal advancement.

Nasser Al-Kharafi died on April 17, 2011, in Cairo, Egypt, following a severe heart attack.

Nasser Al-Kharafi significantly expanded the Al-Kharafi Group from its original roots as an engineering and electrical contractor (initially established in 1976) into a diverse multinational firm. The group gained widespread recognition through its extensive portfolio, including globally renowned franchises and brands:

– Americana Group (Food and restaurant chains in the Middle East)

– Wimpy restaurants

– T.G.I. Friday’s

– Cadbury chocolates

– Pizza Hut and Cinnabon

– National Electrical Industry and other enterprises diversified across construction, hospitality, aviation, technology, petrochemicals, fertilizers, glass, education, and healthcare.

His innovative leadership fueled substantial infrastructural developments across the Middle East region, including:

– Major hotel projects such as Sheraton Aleppo, Four Seasons Damascus, and the Grand Bloudan Hotel.
– Vital transport infrastructure such as the Damascus-Aleppo motorway in Syria.
– Enormous investments in Egypt exceeding 38 billion Egyptian pounds, notably the Port Ghalib project offering employment and featuring luxury hotels, an international marina for yachts, and special tourist attractions near the Red Sea.
– The Lake Qarun initiative designed to harvest valuable salts in Egypt.
– Strategic partnership in the City of Prince Abdulaziz bin Mousaed Economic City project through agreements formed directly with Saudi Arabia’s General Investment Authority.

Aside from overseeing his conglomerate, he actively held significant positions, including:
– Chairman of the Egyptian-Kuwaiti Holding Company

– Board member at the National Bank of Kuwait

– CEO of Kuwait Food Company (Americana)

– Executive Director at Aluminium Industries Company.

His tireless entrepreneurial drive won him recognition from Arabian Business Magazine, which honored him as “Personality of the Year” in 2008, citing his exceptional commitment to advancing business prosperity in Kuwait and the Middle East.

Nasser Al-Kharafi stood out not just for his wealth and influence but also for his earnest commitment to supporting humanitarian projects discreetly and sincerely. Despite his international acclaim and staggering commercial success, he remained devoted to social responsibility and charitable causes throughout his lifetime.