The Tanzanian billionaire businessperson Reginald Abraham Mengi died on Wednesday night in Dubai.
The cause of his death is yet to be established.
“Mwenyekiti Mtendaji wa makampuni ya IPP, Reginald Mengi amefariki dunia, kwa mujibu wa taarifa kutoka vyombo vya habari alivyokuwa anavimiliki. Mengi ambaye ni mmoja kati ya wafanyabishara wakubwa Tanzania amefariki usiku wa kuamkia leo Alhamisi akiwa Dubai. Taarifa zaidi kadri tutakavyokuwa tukizipata,” read an update from Azam TV.
He is arguably the richest man in East Africa.
Mengi was married to former Miss Tanzania Jacqueline Mengiand together they had two kids.
The two got married in a lavish wedding in Mauritius back in 2015, a union that created a huge debate in Tanzania due to the age difference.
Reginald Mengi was a businessperson who has been at the head of 9 different companies and presently is Chairman of Confederation of Tanzania Industries, Chairman of IPP Gold Ltd., Chairman of Media Owners Association of Tanzania, Executive Chairman & Owner at IPP Ltd. (Tanzania) and Chairman of Handeni Gold, Inc.
The IPP Group that he founded is one of Tanzania’s largest conglomerates. The company has interests in the media, Coca-Cola bottling, mining and consumer goods.
The media mogul through his IPP Media Group owns 11 newspapers, radio and television stations as well as internet properties.
He also owns Bonite Bottlers, the sole bottler of Coca-Cola products in the northern region of Tanzania.
His Autobiography, ‘I Can, I Must, I will’ was released in July 2018.
He was also on the board of Commonwealth Business Council and Member of Institutional Investors Roundtable and Chairman-Economic Empowerment Committee at Tanzania National Business Council.
In his past career Reginald Mengi occupied the position of Chairman at East African Business Council, Chairman for The National Environment Management Council, Chairman & Managing Partner at Coopers & Lybrand and Chairman for National Board of Accountants & Auditors.
His Kilimanjaro brand of bottled water is the biggest selling in the country. His IPP Resources mines gold, uranium, copper, chrome and coal.
Being a philanthropist, he used to send hundreds of Tanzanian children with heart ailments to India for treatment.
In recognition of his philanthropic achievements and his unwavering commitment in the fight against social injustice, Dr. Reginald Mengi received several international and national awards over the years.
Mengi has received the following honors and awards:
- 2000-2003 – Most Respected CEO East Africa Community (EAC)
- 2008 – Martin Luther King Drum Major for Justice Award
- 2010 – Global Leadership and Humanitarian Award
- 2012 – United Nations NGO Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2012 – The Business for Peace Award
- 2012 – Honorary Doctor of Humanity Degree Award
- 2014 – International Order of the Lions Award
- 2014 – Business Leader of the Year Award