BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE
From the serene, coastal city of Porbandar—best known as the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi—Rizwan Adatia embarked on a journey that would touch lives across continents, leaving a global imprint through his entrepreneurial brilliance, unwavering philanthropy, and deep commitment to humanity. Born into modest means, Adatia discovered early on the power of purpose and humility. “Success is measured by the lives we uplift,” he told NRI Pulse, a mantra that would shape every facet of his life. Today, he leads businesses across ten African countries, employing nearly 5,000 people, but his greatest impact is in fostering hope, empowerment, and inner peace.
In his exclusive with NRI Pulse during his recent visit to Atlanta, Adatia shared his journey shaped by grit and guided by compassion, which inspired him to transform personal success into meaningful impact for millions. The meeting was facilitated by Mustafa Ajmeri, CEO of Global Entertainment and Media Services.
Rizwan Adatia’s early life in Porbandar laid the foundation for a future rooted in ethical values and resilience. Growing up in a modest household, he was no stranger to hard work. “My humble background is from Porbandar. My father sold peanuts to raise seven children in a tiny home. There was no business background, no financial support,” he recalled. These formative years instilled in him the importance of perseverance, humility, and service.
In his teenage years, Adatia moved to the Democratic Republic of Congo to join his brother in a small business. It was here—amid language barriers, cultural differences, and economic uncertainties—that his entrepreneurial spirit first took flight. With only $200 in hand, he worked tirelessly, facing cultural and financial hurdles. “At 16 and a half, I went to Africa. It was a land of opportunity, but it demanded everything from me. Still, I never compromised on waking up at 3 AM or helping others,” he said. In his early days, even his meager salary of $10 per month was partly used to help those poorer than himself. “That helping nature became a blessing for me.”
He soon learned that success, for him, was not merely financial. “Business and charity are interconnected,” he said. “Once I make money, I return it to the community. That’s always been the model.” One such story was that of a visually impaired man in Mozambique, who—after a cataract surgery supported by RAF Global—saw his wife for the first time in 20 years. “I never knew how beautiful her smile truly was,” he said, tears streaming down his face. His photograph, shared on local news, became a symbol of what access to care could truly mean. Another story came from India, where a young man battling depression reached out after watching Rizwan, the biopic based on Mr. Adatia’s life. Inspired by the film’s message of perseverance, he abandoned his suicide plans and determined to face his challenges.
Adatia was the Chairman of the COGEF Group and Vision Exports FZC, global business ventures that reflected his commitment to ethical growth. Vision Exports was founded in 2007 and grew into a robust cross-trade network with offices in Dubai, China, and Kenya, and ventures in import, export, manufacturing, and distribution. Adatia’s enterprises were a bridge between continents. “Business, to me, is a bridge—not just between suppliers and buyers, but between cultures, communities, and possibilities,” he said.
But his most defining legacy was his philanthropic arm, RAF Global, launched in 2015. Originally started in India, Congo, and Mozambique—countries that shaped his life—RAF Global eventually operated in six countries. “We have helped more than 2 million people so far,” Adatia noted proudly. The INGO’s mission was to improve the quality of life of more marginalized communities through long-term and sustained interventions around the key sectors of healthcare, nutrition, clean water, sanitation, education, and economic development.
“Water is a right and constitutes the most essential ingredient of human life,” he said. “In Mozambique, Congo, and the Thar Desert Region of India, people used to walk several kilometers to fetch potable water. We constructed as well as rehabilitated more than 900 water sources/structures, out of which more than 2/3rd harvested rainwater and natural springs to solve the drinking water problems of local communities.”
Economic empowerment of women was an integral part of RAF Global’s broader interventions. “Currently, over 6000 women are benefiting from our micro-enterprise programs,” he said. “We are skilling over 5000 youths, including women in India, DRC, and Mozambique, every year to give them a better chance of meaningful employment.” RAF Global developed over 100 villages in the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand, through multi-sector interventions with a key focus on sanitation, education, and healthcare. “We supported public hospitals with a wide range of inputs to improve the scale and scope of public health services in our core area of operations.”
The foundation operated across five pillars: Economic Integration and Livelihood Support for Women and Youth, Climate Smart Agriculture, Health and Nutrition Initiatives, Education and Technology Programs, and Good Governance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, RAF Global launched rapid-response programs, distributing over 200,000 meals and supporting more than 100,000 households with food, water, and healthcare essentials. They further provided medical supplies and equipment to over 50 hospitals in India, DR Congo, and Mozambique.
Beyond organizational efforts, Adatia launched Human for Humans, a global compassion movement aimed at bridging societal divides and promoting unity through acts of kindness. “If you want to be happy in life, help others. It’s beautifully explained in all religions,” he remarked. Human for Humans encouraged individuals, companies, and institutions to engage in socially conscious action—from local community service to global aid projects. The goal? To cultivate a world where compassion became second nature, not a special occasion.
While Adatia is known for his external impact, his inner journey was equally profound. He was a firm advocate for mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, often speaking about the eight core pillars of happiness and fulfillment: Meditation, Yoga, Subconscious Mind, Stress Management, Health & Family, Work-Life Balance, Positive Thinking, and Happiness. Adatia’s day begins well before sunrise, often with three to four hours of deep meditation. “True contentment isn’t found in possessions but in peace of mind,” he said. His spiritual routine, which included yoga, pranayama, and visualization techniques, helped him maintain clarity, empathy, and resilience amid complex global responsibilities. He delivers talks and workshops encouraging others to adopt these practices. “Leadership isn’t just about how much you achieve,” he noted, “but how calmly and consciously you walk the journey.”
He uses affirmations to strengthen his subconscious: “I am peaceful, I am healthy, I am successful.” He even talked about a simple sleeping technique: “Put your hand on your head and say ‘I am peaceful’ 10-15 times before sleep. Your sleep challenges will go away.” His daily schedule reflected ironclad discipline. “9:30 PM is my cutoff. Phone on silent. I sleep, no matter what. Even as Chairman overseeing 10 countries, I prioritize this because 3 AM meditation is non-negotiable.”
In 2022, Adatia’s life story was immortalized in a biopic titled Rizwan, which garnered over 2.5 million views. The film showcased his struggles, from failing his 10th-grade exam to becoming an international business and philanthropic icon. With over 200 cash-and-carry stores, retail outlets, and four manufacturing facilities under his belt, “Everything I wanted, I wrote down and visualized. Even my marriage. I dreamed it. And it happened,” he said.
Over the years, he met global leaders including Indian PM Narendra Modi, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, Graça Machel, and former Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi. “PM Modi told me, ‘Rizwan, you should come and meet me every year.’ Our last meeting lasted 22 minutes. He recognized the impact.”
As a motivational speaker, he inspired millions through workshops and social media. “I have thousands of videos, and I’ve motivated over 50,000 youth directly.”
In 2020, Adatia faced a personal trial—he was briefly kidnapped in Mozambique. While the experience was harrowing, it did not deter his resolve. “It was my inner calm, developed through years of meditation, that helped me stay strong,” he reflected. True to his character, he returned not with fear but with a stronger determination to continue his work.
Adatia’s vision was bold and future-facing. He planned to expand RAF Global’s reach into new regions, focusing on empowering women and youth through education and entrepreneurship, while continuing to innovate in ethical, sustainable business. His organization aimed to reach 10 million lives by 2030. Adatia’s success formula was simple: balance. “To me, success is a balanced life. Health, family, work, happiness—they must coexist,” he said. He warned youth against instant gratification. “There are no shortcuts. Youth is the foundation of life—the roots of the tree. Focus, dream big, avoid unnecessary distractions, and build something that will bear fruit.”
Rizwan Adatia’s life proves that greatness does not require privilege—it requires purpose. His story is a masterclass in how to build, give, grow, and inspire. For anyone starting with little more than a dream, his message is clear: Embrace your values. Serve with heart. Lead with purpose. And never forget where you came from.
Because sometimes, it’s the quiet beginnings that lead to the loudest legacies.
