From a humble merchandising business in Tanga to one of Africa’s most dynamic conglomerates — operating across 9 countries with 3,000+ employees.
1955
Founded
3,000+
Employees
9
Countries
5
Clusters
Salamander Tower
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — Headquarters
Established 1955 • Tanga, Tanzania
In 1955, Late Mr. Mohamed Senior established his first merchandising business in Tanga, Tanzania. As a merchandiser of small goods, he built a reputation for fair dealing and hard work in coastal trade.
In 1996, his sons inherited their father’s entrepreneurial spirit, took over the family business, and relocated to Dar es Salaam. There, they embarked on an ambitious transformation — expanding into trading, distribution, logistics, and beyond.
Today, GSM Group has grown into one of Africa’s leading diversified conglomerates, managing major businesses across five strategic clusters with over 3,000 staff members operating in 9 countries across Africa and the Middle East.
1955
Founded in Tanga
1996
Moved to Dar
2025
Pan-African Leader
To strategically create, manage and grow a portfolio of sustainable businesses across Africa, delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders through innovation, operational excellence, and responsible corporate citizenship.
To be Africa’s most admired and impactful diversified conglomerate, recognized for building world-class businesses that drive economic growth, create sustainable employment, and improve lives across the continent.
Watch Our Story — The GSM Group Journey
Seven decades of growth, from a single trading post to a pan-African conglomerate.
1955
Late Mr. Mohamed Senior establishes a merchandising business in Tanga, Tanzania, laying the foundation for what would become GSM Group.
1970
Business expands beyond Tanga into regional commodity trading, establishing supply chains for essential goods across northern Tanzania.
1996
The founder's sons assume leadership, relocate headquarters to Dar es Salaam, and begin transforming the family business into a modern enterprise.
2002
GSM enters the logistics sector with GALCO Freight, acquiring its first fleet of trucks for cross-border transportation.
2007
The Inland Container Depot opens in Dar es Salaam, providing bonded warehousing, container handling, and customs clearance services.
2010
Operations expand beyond Tanzania into Zambia and Mozambique, establishing GSM's cross-border logistics corridor.
2014
GSM Retail is established with the introduction of Splash fashion brand into the Tanzanian market from Dubai.
2016
Entry into food processing and beverage manufacturing, adding the fifth pillar to the GSM business portfolio.
2019
GALCO Freight reaches a milestone of 500+ trucks, becoming one of East Africa's largest privately-owned fleet operators.
2022
Launch of enterprise-wide ERP systems, GPS fleet tracking, and digital customer platforms across all divisions.
2024
Fleet surpasses 700 trucks. Operations now span Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Mozambique, DRC, South Africa, Rwanda, and UAE.
2025
State-of-the-art 50,000 sq ft logistics hub opens in Dar es Salaam, featuring automated sorting and cold storage.
Our experienced leadership team drives GSM Group’s vision across all five business clusters.
President, GSM Group
Under the leadership of President Ghalib Said Mohammed, GSM Group has evolved from a family-run trading business into an innovation-driven pan-African conglomerate. His vision for sustainable growth and digital transformation continues to propel the group forward across all five business clusters.
Chief Finance Officer
Group Executive Secretary
Chief Information Officer
Chief Human Resource Officer
Chief Internal Auditor
Head of Treasury
CEO, Logistics Cluster
Leading 700+ fleet operations, GALCO ICD, freight forwarding, and insurance brokerage across East and Southern Africa.
CEO, Manufacturing Cluster
Overseeing food processing, beverage bottling, and packaging operations serving both domestic and export markets.
CEO, Trading Cluster
Managing international commodity trading including petroleum, building materials, FMCG, and agricultural products.
CEO, Retail Cluster
Directing multi-brand retail operations including Splash, HomeBox, and Shoe Express across Tanzania.
GSM Group operates through a cluster-based model, where each business unit has its own CEO reporting to the Group President.
President
Ghalib Said Mohammed
Executive Team
Business Clusters
Logistics
Cluster CEO
Trading
Cluster CEO
Retail
Cluster CEO
Manufacturing
Cluster CEO
Real Estate
Cluster CEO
GSM Group operates through five distinct business clusters, each contributing to our diversified portfolio and pan-African presence.
A 700+ fleet providing cross-border transport, container handling at GALCO ICD, customs clearance, and insurance brokerage across East and Southern Africa.
International commodity trading and distribution covering petroleum products, building materials, FMCG, automotive spare parts, and agricultural commodities.
Multi-brand retail operations including Splash (fashion), HomeBox (home furnishings), and Shoe Express across Tanzania.
Food processing, beverage bottling, and packaging operations producing essential goods for domestic and export markets.
Strategic property development and management including commercial towers, warehousing, and mixed-use developments.
The principles that guide every decision, every partnership, and every interaction across our organization.
We conduct business with the highest ethical standards, fostering trust with our partners, customers, and communities.
We pursue operational excellence in every cluster, setting benchmarks for quality and performance across the continent.
Our 3,000+ employees are our greatest asset. We invest in talent development, diversity, and a safe, inclusive workplace.
We embrace technology and creative thinking to optimize operations, serve customers better, and stay ahead of the curve.
From our headquarters in Dar es Salaam, we serve markets across East, Central, and Southern Africa.
Tanzania
HQ
Kenya
Uganda
Zambia
Mozambique
DRC
South Africa
Rwanda
UAE