NAIROBI — Until recently, the name Rostam Azizi was mostly spoken in the boardrooms of energy firms and the corridors of Tanzanian politics. But with the 2026 acquisition of Nation Media Group (NMG) through his firm Taarifa Ltd, Azizi has achieved what few billionaires ever do: total control over the regional narrative.
But who is the man behind the estimated Ksh1.23 billion deal? And what else does he own in Kenya?
The Man: From Igunga to Billionaire Status
Born in 1964, Rostam Azizi is a fifth-generation Tanzanian of Persian descent. He didn’t just stumble into wealth; he built a diversified empire that survived the complex political shifts of Tanzania’s CCM party.
- The Politician: He served as the Member of Parliament for Igunga for nearly two decades (1994–2011) and was the National Treasurer for the ruling CCM party.
- The Pioneer: In 2013, Forbes named him Tanzania’s first dollar billionaire. Even after dropping off the public list to keep his wealth private, he remains one of the three wealthiest men in East Africa.
His Multi-Billion Shilling Portfolio in Kenya
While the NMG deal is his most famous, Azizi has been quietly “colonizing” the Kenyan energy sector for years with the blessing of the highest offices.
Taifa Gas (The Sh16 Billion Giant)
In February 2023, President William Ruto personally commissioned the groundbreaking of Azizi’s Taifa Gas plant in the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone, Mombasa.
- The Asset: A 30,000-metric-tonne LPG terminal—the largest of its kind in Africa.
- The Impact: This Sh16.7 billion investment was designed to break the monopoly of local gas billionaires and bring down cooking gas prices for millions of Kenyans.
Real Estate & Hospitality
While his primary real estate holdings are in Dubai and Oman, insiders link Azizi to several high-end commercial interests in Nairobi and Mombasa, often acting as a strategic partner for international firms entering the Kenyan market.
His Regional Empire: Where the Real Wealth Lies
To understand Azizi’s power, you must look at his “Home Base” in Tanzania and the Middle East:
| Company | Sector | Description |
| Caspian Mining | Mining | The largest contract mining company in Tanzania; serves DeBeers and Barrick Gold. |
| MIC Tanzania (Tigo/Zantel) | Telecom | Following his exit from Vodacom, he led a consortium to buy Tigo and Zantel. |
| Coastal Aviation | Aviation | A premier safari and air charter operator serving the tourism sector. |
| Taifa Leather | Manufacturing | A major processor of leather goods for export. |
| New Habari Ltd | Media | Owns some of the largest Kiswahili and English publications in Tanzania. |
The “Ruto Connection”: Why He is So Influential in 2026
The “influence” doesn’t just come from owning newspapers; it comes from access. Azizi has successfully bridged the gap between Dar es Salaam and Nairobi. He is widely seen as a key figure in the “thaw” of relations between Kenya and Tanzania.
By investing in “Essential Services” -Energy and Media-, he has made himself indispensable to the current administration’s goals of lowering energy costs and controlling the regional message.