Millat Global
Hamza Farooqui founded Millat Global in 2016, a Johannesburg-based investment company with operations across hospitality, convenience retail, energy, and food services. As CEO, Farooqui has positioned Millat as a gateway for global brands entering the South African and broader African markets.
As Millat’s Chief Executive Officer, Hamza Farooqui has secured long term partnerships with Circle K and Pret A Manger in Southern Africa, launched new local food concepts through Uber Eats, and introduced multiple Hyatt-branded hotels in key South African cities. These ventures reflect Farooqui’s broader mission: to bring world-class consumer experiences to developing markets while anchoring them in local demand and cultural context.
Farooqui regularly speaks at investment summits and industry forums, advocating for Africa as a serious destination for global capital. Through Millat, he continues to champion strategic, values-driven investment that prioritises both growth and impact.
Entrepreneurship
Hamza Farooqui’s business instincts are well established, having co-founded CII Holdings, a financial and media company with a focus on Islamic markets, where he served as Group CEO for over a decade. He also led WorldSpace Africa as Managing Director, helping expand its regional operations and playing a key role in its listing on NASDAQ.
Throughout his early ventures, Farooqui focused on the power of access—whether through media, financial inclusion, or technology—and built a reputation for effectively navigating highly regulated sectors in emerging markets. His business philosophy has consistently prioritised localisation, long-term value, and economic participation for underserved communities.
Background & Early Life
Hamza Farooqui is a South African entrepreneur with deep personal and professional ties to the country’s evolving economic landscape. Born in Swaziland to Indian-Pakistani parents, he moved to South Africa with his family just as the country was beginning its democratic transition. His studies led his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of the Witwatersrand. Growing up in South Africa’s diverse, dynamic society shaped Farooqui’s worldview and instilled in him a lasting commitment to the country’s economic development and global positioning.
