Meet the Billionaire Behind Villa Rosa Kempinski

The Villa Rosa Kempinski is one of the most prominent hotels in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. The five-star hotel has played host to prominent figures including former United States President Barrack Obama and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

Although in recent times its shine has been dimmed by the opening of the JW Marriot right next door at the massive GTC Towers, and the noise and dirt that surrounded construction of the Nairobi Expressway, the hotel remains one of the city’s top hotels. The hotel is one of several multi-million shilling ventures in Kenya associated with  Adil Popat and the wealthy Popat family.

Adil Popat is best known as the Chairman of Simba Colt Motors, one of East Africa’s largest car dealers – distributing various commercial, passenger and agricultural vehicles across the region. The business traces its roots to its establishment as a used car dealership in 1948 by Adil’s late father, Abdul Karim Popat.

Adil took over the running of the family business from his late father and steered the company’s growth to impressive new heights thanks to a solid expansion strategy. The multi-billion empire – Simba Corporation – today includes vast interests in automotives, hospitality, real estate, agriculture and cinema among others.

Among passenger vehicle brands Simba Colt has rights to sell in Kenya are Renault, Mitsubishi, and Proton. It is also authorized to sell commercial vehicles including Fuso, Mahindra, and Ashok Leyland trucks in Kenya.

Simba Corporation’s interests in hospitality include Villa Rosa Kempinski, Olare Mara Kempinski, Acacia Premier Hotel (Kisumu), Nairobi Street Kitchen, and a 35% stake in Hemingways Group of Hotels.

The Hemingways portfolio features luxury hotels, camps, and residences in Mombasa, Nairobi, and Maasai Mara – including Hemingways Nairobi, Hemingways Ol Seki Mara, Hemingways Watamu, and Hemingways Eden Residence.

Nairobi Street Kitchen, one of its newer hospitality investments, is a popular urban eatery in the capital targeting younger crowds with an eclectic selection of foods from around the world, modern design, and an event space.

Simba Corp’s real estate interests include Aspire Centre in Westlands, Nairobi which hosts several popular car franchises under the company.

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