Mohamed Said Guedi

Founder and Chairman, MSG Group of Companies

Mohamed Said Guedi is one of the most substantial private entrepreneurs to emerge from Djibouti and the wider Horn of Africa. He began in trading, establishing MSG Trading in Djibouti in the early 1980s, before creating a much broader business group.

Today MSG Group has interests spanning trading, manufacturing, telecommunications, energy, logistics, shipping, construction and other sectors. Its businesses include MSG Trading, Independent Tobacco and telecom investments including Somcable. The group’s current corporate information continues to identify Guedi as its founder and chairman, while business databases describe MSG as an active group with more than 1,000 employees. Earlier reporting put employment across the group above 2,000 and noted regional headquarters in Djibouti and Dubai.

Guedi’s importance lies partly in his geographical reach. His investments connect Djibouti with Somaliland, Ethiopia, the UAE and other markets in the Horn of Africa.

Current business influence: Trading, FMCG, telecommunications, fibre infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, logistics and construction.