Cairo, Egypt, Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris, one of Africa’s most prominent business figures, has publicly acknowledged that an angry and impulsive investment decision wiped out €500 million (about US $540 million) from his personal portfolio.
Sawiris chairman of Orascom Investment Holding and known for bold financial moves across tech, telecoms and media said the significant loss stemmed from a high‑risk bet that did not pay off as planned. The setback has prompted him to reflect publicly on the importance of investment discipline and emotion‑free decision‑making in managing large portfolios, especially in volatile markets.
While Sawiris has built a reputation for entrepreneurial instincts and occasionally contrarian investments, this incident underscores the risks even billionaire investors face when emotional reactions drive financial choices rather than long‑term strategy and careful analysis.
The announcement has sparked discussion among financial circles and markets observers about the challenges of balancing bold leadership with prudent risk management particularly for influential figures whose decisions can sway investor confidence in emerging market sectors.