Fadi Ghandour - Chairman of Wamda Capital
Fadi Ghandour is a notable Lebanese-Jordanian entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, currently serving as the Executive Chairman of Wamda Capital. He was born in Beirut in 1960 and graduated from George Washington University in 1981. He is recognized for his pivotal role in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) startup ecosystem.
Career Highlights
- Founder and Former CEO of Aramex: Ghandour co-founded Aramex in 1982, one of the leading logistics and transportation companies in the Middle East and South Asia. Under his leadership, Aramex became the first Arab company to go public on NASDAQ in 1997, before going private again in 2002 and then listing on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) in 2005. The company now operates globally with over 17,000 employees in 600 offices across 70 countries.
- Investment and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: As a founding investor of Maktoob, later acquired by Yahoo!, Ghandour has been deeply involved in fostering entrepreneurship in MENA. In 2010, he launched MENA Venture Investments (MVI), an angel investment firm that has invested in tech-enabled businesses at the seed stage, including Souq.com, acquired by Amazon.
- Wamda Group: In 2014, Ghandour launched Wamda Capital, focusing on early-stage technology startups in the Middle East, Turkey, and East Africa. Wamda Capital operates as part of the Wamda Group, which provides a comprehensive support system for entrepreneurs through investment, community programs, research, and corporate and government advisory services.
Philanthropic Endeavors
- Ruwwad for Development: In 2005, Ghandour founded Ruwwad for Development, a non-profit community empowerment platform aimed at supporting marginalized communities through activism, education, financial inclusion, and civic engagement. Ruwwad operates in Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Egypt, and focuses on youth organizing, child development, and community-led campaigns.
Board Associations and Recognition
- Ghandour has served on the board of The Abraaj Group, an emerging markets investor, and was closely associated with its founder, Arif Naqvi.
- He was awarded the Academy of International Business (AIB) International Executive of the Year Award in 2017.
Publications and Thought Leadership
Ghandour is an influential thought leader, often sharing his insights on platforms like LinkedIn and participating in interviews with institutions like Harvard Business School. Through his articles and speeches, he emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship, corporate engagement, and the growth of the digital economy.
Personal Background
- Family: Ghandour is the son of Ali Ghandour, founder of Royal Jordanian Airlines, and Altaf Daher. He has two sons; Fares, a partner at Wamda Capital, and Bassel, a filmmaker who co-wrote and produced the Oscar-nominated film "Theeb".
Additional Notable Mentions
- LinkedIn Profile: Ghandour actively engages with the entrepreneurial community on LinkedIn, sharing insights and updates on current trends and investments.
- Recognition: He has been listed among the most powerful Arabs, reflecting his significant influence and contributions to the regional business landscape.
Fadi Ghandour's extensive career, combined with his philanthropic efforts and dedication to nurturing the MENA entrepreneurship landscape, positions him as a critical influencer and enabler within the region's startup ecosystem.
