Dr. Rajan Mahtani Recognised With ‘Best Of Africa’ Awards

The Forbes-FIN roundtable conference 2021 concluded on a high note. Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic forcing the conference to be held online, it was a roaring success with 100 percent participation from the honorary guests and speakers from different sectors and fields. Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani was an esteemed honorary speaker during the event and shared his thoughts on leadership and philanthropy as well as it’s the role of leaders in development and growth of a nation. Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani was further bestowed with the prestigious ‘Best of Africa’ award category by Forbes-FIN.

Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani was presented with the ‘Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year’ award for his significant contributions towards banking & financial industry of Zambia as well as his contributions in the philanthropic area. While Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani has many successful businesses under his belt, his most successful entrepreneurial spirit to this date has been the Mahtani Group of Companies which was founded in the year 1981. Since then, the company not only reached several African nations including Malawi and South Africa, but also expanded its arms to several new sectors such as real estate, energy, financial & banking services and infrastructure. Across all these sectors, Dr. Mahtani’s companies has not only improved the infrastructure and social structure of the nation, but also helped in improving the economy with employment and livelihood opportunities. 

The philanthropic and charitable contributions from Dr. Mahtani often go unrecognised. He is the founder and current Chairman of ‘Prison Fellowship Zambia’ which provides for the inmates, their families as well as advocates transparent justice system. He is also responsible for one of the prestigious education awards in Zambia, the ‘Stephen Malama’ award which includes scholarships and financial assistance to top law graduates.

Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani Receives Prestigious Award By Forbes

Forbes business in partnership with (FIN) Foreign Investment Limited recently concluded one of the most important business and leadership events in Africa. It was the FIN-Forbes leadership and philanthropic roundtable conference which was held online via YouTube medium on 6th August 2021. One of the highlights of the events was the recognition and distribution of the prestigious ‘Best of Africa’ awards by Forbes-FIN partnerships. Dr. Rajan Mahtani is a noted businessman in Zambia who was invited as a honorary speaker during the conference. 

During the event, Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani was also bestowed with Forbes ‘Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year’ 2021 award. He has been considered as the top entrepreneur across the entire African continent for his innumerable contributions towards Zambian banking sector as well as his significant philanthropic and charitable contributions towards development of the Zambian nation and the society. The award ceremony is generally held at New York every year. However, this year’s ceremony was held virtually as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. During this virtual event, Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani was among the first across Zambia as well as among the few eminent people recognised by Forbes business and FIN for his business leadership and philanthropic contributions. 

Several business personalities from international business communities graced this event, including members from international business, entrepreneurs, politicians, policy makers, religious leaders, opinion leaders as well as international investors. One of the reasons why this award ceremony is considered highly is the rigorous process for selecting the awardees. The selection process is extremely transparent yet comprehensive which took place for many months and included several interviews and discussions related to business leadership & philanthropy for reaching national empowerment goals. 

Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani Claims Non-Payment Of Dues Against Bob Diamond

Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani is a noted businessman in Zambia. In a surprising revelation, Dr. Rajan Mahtani claimed that controversial banking group Atlas Mara has breached the terms of the contract established between Dr. Rajan Mahtani owned Finance Bank Zambia and Bob Diamond owned Atlas Mara. This agreement was established in the year 2015 which was a share sales & purchase agreement. According to the claim established by Dr. Rajan Mahtani, Atlas Mara breached the agreement terms when it failed to make payment against the majority shares of Finance Bank Zambia taken over. It has been more than five years and Dr. Rajan Mahtani still owes from the Atlas Mara group and its owner Bob Diamond. 

The controversial businessman Bob Diamond came into negative limelight in the year 2012 when he had to step down from the position of CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Barclays after the Libor-Rigging scandal. The company Atlas Mara was floated in the year 2013 with the objective of establishing banking giant in Africa as well as a platform for Bob Diamond to enter the Zambian state again. Despite being listed at the LSE (London Stock Exchange) and despite taking over several acquisitions during its initial launch, the shares of Atlas Mara have continued a declining trend along with its reputation and brand image. The image has been further marred over the years with several controversies and allegations of corruption as well as unethical practices by Atlas Mara on behalf of Bob Diamond. 

Dr. Rajan Mahtani has now approached international law firm Omnia Strategy, owned by Cherie Blair, to take his case at the London High Court as earliest as possible.