Mo Ibrahim

As the founder of Celtel International, one of Africa's most successful companies. Dr Mohamed Ibrahim can be described as a global expert in mobile communications with a distinguished academic and business career.

In 1998, Dr Ibrahim founded MSI Cellular Investments, which was later renamed Celtel International. The company now operates in 15 African countries, under licenses that cover more than a third of the continent's population. The company has invested more than US$ 750 million in Africa, helping to bring the benefits of mobile communications to millions of people across the continent.

In 2005, Celtel International was sold to MTC Kuwait for $3.4 billion, making it one of Africa's most successful commercial ventures.

In 2006, Ibrahim launched the he Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. The prize will be awarded to a former African executive Head of State or Government who has demonstrated excellence in African leadership. Unprecedented in its scale and scope, the Mo Ibrahim Prize consists of US$ 5 million over 10 years and US$ 200,000 annually for life thereafter. A further US$ 200,000 per year for good causes espoused by the winner may be granted by the Foundation during the first ten years.The first winner of the Mo Ibrahim Prize will be selected by a Prize Committee, comprised of:

• Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary-General
• Martti Ahtisaari, former UN Special Representative for Namibia and former President of Finland
• Aïcha Bah Diallo, former Minister of Education in Guinea and Special Adviser to the Director-General of UNESCO
• Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Minister of Finance and former Minister of External Affairs of Nigeria
• Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (and board member of the Foundation)
• Salim Ahmed Salim, former Prime Minister of Tanzania and former Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity (and board member of the Foundation)

The winner of the first Mo Ibrahim Prize will be announced on 22nd October 2007

Dr Mo Ibrahim holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alexandria, Egypt, an MSc in Electronics and Electrical Engineering from the University of Bradford, and a PhD in Mobile Communications from the University of Birmingham. He is a member of the Africa Regional Advisory Board of London Business School.