Mohammed Abdulmohsin Al-Kharafi & Sons Group (MAK Group)
Mohammed Abdulmohsin Al-Kharafi & Sons (MAK Group) is one of Kuwait’s largest privately owned family business groups and among the most prominent construction and infrastructure conglomerates in the Middle East and Africa. The group is headquartered in Safat, Kuwait City, and was founded by Mohammed Abdulmohsin Al-Kharafi in 1956.
Overview
Founded: 1956
Headquarters: Kuwait City, Kuwait
Type: Private family-owned conglomerate
Industry Focus: Construction, infrastructure, engineering, real estate, hospitality, manufacturing, telecommunications, food processing, and investments.
The Al-Kharafi family transformed the company from a local contracting firm into a multinational group with operations across the Gulf, Africa, Europe, and parts of Asia.
Main Business Sectors
1. Construction & Infrastructure
The group’s core business remains engineering and construction. It has executed:
- Roads and highways
- Hospitals
- Airports
- Government buildings
- Water and wastewater facilities
- Large residential and commercial developments
Notable projects include:
- Central Bank of Kuwait
- New Jahra Hospital
- Al-Jahra Court Complex
- Major infrastructure developments across GCC countries and Africa.
2. Real Estate & Hospitality
The group has invested heavily in:
- Hotels and resorts
- Tourism developments
- Commercial and residential real estate
One of its most notable developments is Port Ghalib Resort and related tourism assets in Egypt.
3. Manufacturing
The group owns interests in:
- Ready-mix concrete
- Building materials
- Insulation products
- Paper manufacturing
- Steel and construction-related industries.
4. Investments
The Kharafi family maintains investments across:
- Listed equities
- Infrastructure concessions
- Aviation
- Agriculture
- Trading businesses
The family investment platform includes Al Khair National for Stocks and Real Estate Company and several regional investment holdings.
Geographic Presence
The group expanded internationally beginning in the 1960s and established operations in numerous countries, including:
- Kuwait
- Saudi Arabia
- UAE
- Egypt
- Lebanon
- South Africa
- Botswana
- Tanzania
- Kenya
- Gambia
- Bulgaria
- Albania
- Maldives
- Indonesia
Its footprint spans the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
Leadership
Historically, the group was led by the influential Al-Kharafi family, including:
- Mohammed Abdulmohsin Al-Kharafi (Founder)
- Nasser Al-Kharafi (Former Chairman)
- Jassim Al-Kharafi (Former Chairman of Kuwait’s National Assembly and family business leader)
- Fawzi Al-Kharafi (Former Chairman/President)
- Current management remains under members of the Al-Kharafi family.
Industry Recognition
The company’s contracting division is consistently ranked among the world’s largest international contractors. According to the company’s website, it was ranked 119th in ENR’s 2023 Top 250 International Contractors list.
Why the Group Is Important in Kuwait
The MAK Group is considered one of the pillars of Kuwait’s private sector because of its:
- Long history in infrastructure development
- Regional construction capabilities
- Significant employment generation
- International project execution experience
- Diversified investment portfolio across multiple industries.
For someone working in Kuwait’s engineering, construction, infrastructure, or technology sectors, MAK Group is widely regarded as one of the country’s most influential family-owned business groups.