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Dubai-based manufacturer Maser Group is repositioning itself in Africa, channeling a large portion of its capital into agricultural land and digital infrastructure projects as the continent grapples with rising food import bills and a fast-growing need for data capacity.
The company, historically known for producing consumer electronics such as televisions and refrigerators, has pledged $1.6 billion in investments across Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya over the next two years to help strengthen both food security and technology support systems.
Founder and chairman Prateek Suri said Maser has already deployed around $300 million on land purchases and other tangible assets as part of its strategic shift.
Most of the funding for the expanded push will come from Maser’s own investment arm, MDR Investments LLC, alongside China-backed Chia Ventures Co., which together will cover the bulk of the planned expenditure.
MDR manages a $500 million fund and is also exploring public-private partnerships in several African markets, including Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Rwanda and Nigeria, spanning agriculture, mining, low-cost housing and other infrastructure sectors.
In outlining future technology ambitions, Suri noted that Maser is in discussions with Taiwanese firms to establish joint ventures for building data centers in Africa, tapping into growing demand spurred by cloud computing, artificial intelligence applications and broader digital adoption across the continent.
The investment comes against a backdrop of significant food import dependence in Africa.
According to United Nations Economic Commission for Africa data, the continent’s food import bill exceeded $83 billion in 2023, highlighting gaps in domestic agricultural output and food system resilience that private capital seeks to address.
Simultaneously, demand for digital infrastructure is set to surge. Industry estimates project that data center power capacity in Africa could escalate from about 0.4 gigawatts currently to roughly 2.2 gigawatts by 2030, requiring fresh capital flows of up to $20 billion to meet this expansion.
Maser Group, which was established in 2014 and has operations in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa and Egypt, is owned primarily by Suri, who holds a 56% stake; Chia Ventures holds 30%, and TPA Electronics the remaining 14%.
Through this new strategy, the firm is moving beyond its traditional consumer electronics base toward asset-heavy sectors that align with broader economic needs in African markets.
The targeted deployment of capital reflects a broader trend among investors seeking to address structural challenges within Africa’s agri-food systems and digital ecosystems, where infrastructure gaps have created opportunities for externally financed initiatives that support regional development and resilience.
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