Kenyans on Wednesday, January 5 were awoken by the sad news of the demise of Aga Khan, whose name is Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, one of the wealthiest investors and philanthropists in the world.
Aga Khan, died on February 4, 2025, at the age of 88 in Lisbon, Portugal. He was the 49th Imam of Nizari Ismailis, a denomination within Shia Islam.
A look into his early life shows that Aga Khan was born in Geneva, Switzerland but later moved to Nairobi, Kenya where he spent his childhood.
He moved back to Switzerland after World War II where he attended the prestigious Le Rosey School and later Harvard University where he studied Islamic history.
Media reports have it that his academic pursuits were abruptly interrupted in 1957 when, at the age of 20, he assumed the mantle of leadership as the 49th Imam of the Ismaili Muslim community following the death of his grandfather, Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III.
He is known for his philanthropic acts and multi-billion investments that transformed lives of thousands of people in Kenya and beyond.
The billionaire’s estate spans various sectors including Education, Healthcare, Tourism and Hospitality, banking, and communication, among others.
Nation Media Group billionaire founder The Aga Khan dies aged 88
Below is a list of some key properties owned by the Aga Khan in Kenya and beyond:
Schools and Hospitals
Through its agencies; Aga Khan Schools, Aga Khan Universities, and Aga Khan Health Services, the Aga Khan Development Network runs several nonprofit academic institutions and medical facilities in East Africa.
Some of the known learning institutions are:
- Aga Khan University (AKU), Nairobi
- Aga Khan Academy, Nairobi
- Aga Khan High School, Nairobi, Kenya.
- Aga Khan High School, Mombasa, Kenya.
- Aga Khan Nursery School, Eldoret, Kenya
Medical facilities are;
- Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi
- Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi
- Aga Khan University Hospital, Kampala
- Aga Khan Hospital, Dar es Salaam
- Aga Khan Hospital for Women, Karimabad
- Aga Khan Hospital, Kisumu
- Aga Khan Hospital, Mombasa
Communications and Media Company Owned by Aga Khan
This is the largest print, broadcast, and online media publication in East and Central Africa. The Nairobi Stock Exchange listed group and its subsidiaries; Mwananchi Communications Ltd (Tanzania) and Monitor Publications Ltd (Uganda) operate the most popular newspapers and radio stations in the region.
These include; NTV, Nation FM, Nation Newspaper, Business Daily, The East African, The Monitor, Mwananchi, and The Citizen TZ among others.
Financial Services
- Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) – East Africa
With over 130 branches in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Burundi, DTB has operated in East Africa for over 75 years and is listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange.
Institutional shareholders associated with H.H. The Aga Khan control about 50% of the bank.
- Jubilee Holdings Limited (JHL) – East Africa
Founded in 1937, JHL provides Life insurance, Health Insurance, Property and Casualty Insurance (General Insurance), Retirement Products, and Financial Advisory Services to customers in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Mauritius.
In 2021, JHL sold a majority stake (66%) of its General Insurance wing to Allianz, one of the world’s leading insurers and asset managers.
Institutional shareholders associated with H.H. The Aga Khan control about 40% of the group.
Hospitality
- Serena Hotels – Africa
The Serena Group, majority owned by H.H. The Aga Khan runs 35 high-end properties that include; hotels, resorts, safari lodges, camps, palaces, and forts.
The facilities are spread in cities and tourist destinations in Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda, DR Congo, and Mozambique (Hotel Polana SA)
Industries
Aga Khan IV also had investments in various industries, including manufacturing, agribusiness, and industrial development:
- Industrial Promotion Services (Kenya) Ltd – Nairobi (Development Institution)
- Allpack Industries Ltd – Nairobi (Manufactures high-quality corrugated carton packaging and polypropylene bags)
- Alltex EPZ Ltd – Nairobi (Garment manufacturing)
- Botanical Extracts EPZ Ltd – Athi River (Production of Artemisinin)
- Farmer’s Choice Ltd – Nairobi (Meat processing)
- Frigoken Ltd – Nairobi (Vegetable processing for export)
- Kamyn Industries Ltd – Mombasa (Hosiery manufacturing)
Other African manufacturing companies in the Aga Khan Development Network portfolio include; Plastics and Rubber Industries Ltd (Kenya), Wire Products Ltd (Kenya), Compagnie de Filature et de Sacherie SA (Senegal), Fûts Métalliques et Plastiques de L’Ouest Africain SA (Senegal), Tanzania Litho Printing Ltd, and Uganda Fishnet Manufacturers Ltd.
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