"What is more important to me than $14 billion is that I go to my bed at night knowing there is not a human being on Earth who's managed to bend my arm."
What does it take to negotiate, invest, and lead in countries where political uncertainty, conflict, and changing power dynamics shape every major decision?
In this episode of Negotiating the World, host Ambassador Herro Mustafa Garg sits down with Naguib Sawiris, Egyptian billionaire investor, entrepreneur, and Founder of Orascom Telecom.
This conversation goes beyond corporate talking points to explore the realities of operating in some of the world's most challenging markets. As the visionary of one of the most successful telecommunications expansions across emerging economies, Sawiris shares the mindset that guided him through extortion attempts, political pressure, and high-stakes negotiations, while refusing to make decisions out of fear.
From establishing a telecommunications presence in North Korea to investing his own capital in post-war Iraq, Sawiris reveals the lessons that shaped his approach to risk, leadership, and dealmaking. He also reflects on one of the defining moments of his career: walking away from a $14 billion business in Algeria rather than compromising his principles.
The result is a candid conversation about conviction, negotiation, and the price of staying true to your values when the stakes are at their highest.
About the Guest
Naguib Sawiris is an Egyptian billionaire investor, entrepreneur, and Founder of Orascom Telecom. He pioneered mobile telecommunications infrastructure across emerging markets and helped build one of the most successful telecom enterprises in the developing world. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential business leaders in the Middle East.
Follow Negotiating the World on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you never miss a conversation from inside the rooms where global decisions are made.
Negotiating the World | Statecraft, Strategy, and the New Global Risk
