Mara Group

Mara Group is a pan-African multi-sector business with extensive operating experience in both African and international markets.

Mara’s first company was founded by Ashish J. Thakkar in 1996. Ashish began his career in business at the age of 15 by borrowing $5,000 to set up an IT company in Uganda. Within a year, he transitioned from a high school student to a full time entrepreneur. Since then, Mara has evolved into an international multi-sector business, with operations and interests across 22 African countries. Ashish has successfully driven the growth of Mara by identifying opportunities to build businesses in under-served markets and by selectively partnering with international firms focused on expanding in Africa. Among Mara’s credits include building the leading corrugated cardboard packaging packaging company in Uganda (Riley Packaging), founding a Pan-African IT services company (Mara Ison) and establishing an African business process outsourcing company operating in ten African countries (Ison BPO).