The Tata Group began its relationship with the African continent in 1977 when it set up Tata Zambia. Since then, the Group's engagement with Africa has grown manifold, and today it has a strong presence in 10 African countries with investments exceeding $100 million. The Tata Africa brand today is synonymous with quality products and ethical business operations.

The Tata Group’s historical connection with Africa goes all the way back to 1909 when Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi was garnering support for his passive resistance movement against apartheid in South Africa. Between 1909 and 1913, Sir Ratan Tata, the younger son of Tata Group founder Jamsetji Tata, contributed a total of Rs125,000 to help Mahatma Gandhi in his efforts.

To Gandhi, the Tatas represented “the spirit of adventure”, especially evident in Jamsetji Tata who travelled to countries like America, Britain and the Far East to spread his business vision worldwide. This spirit of adventure has remained firmly ingrained in the Tata Group and it continues to drive Tata initiatives in Africa.

The Tatas were among the first foreign companies to enter Africa. The focus was towards natural expansion into geographic areas and developing markets that held the promise of mutual benefit.

The first step was taken in 1977 with the opening of an office in Zambia. Tata Zambia began by marketing Telco (now Tata Motors) vehicles that were manufactured in India.

The next step involved exploring other African countries such as Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Namibia, Uganda, Mozambique, Malawi, Ghana and South Africa. The Group then extended its businesses to include mining products, steel and hospitality, and diversified into such fields as farming, telecommunications, chemicals and information technology.

In 1994, the Tata Group set up Tata Africa Holdings in Johannesburg, South Africa, which now serves as the Group's headquarters in the continent. Responsible for identifying development opportunities and promoting new projects, Tata Africa has made Tata a well-known and trusted name in Africa.

Milestones

1977
First operations begin in Zambia

1990-1999
Expansion into Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Namibia, Mozambique, Uganda and Ghana

1994
Operations begin in South Africa

1997
Tata Zambia acquires 70-per cent stake in Pamodzi Hotel, renames it Taj Pamodzi

1998
Tata Automobile Corporation (SA) established to market commercial vehicles

2000
Consilience Technologies set up as JV between Tata Africa Holdings (through Tata Infotech) and J&J (a local group)

2002
Zanele Mbeki asks TCS to launch a literacy programme in South Africa

2004
Tata Motors introduces passenger cars (Indica, Indigo), utility vehicles and pick-ups in South Africa

2005
Tata Africa and VSNL are allotted a 26 per cent share in Neotel, the second national fixed line operator in South Africa

2006
Tata Steel began work on a ferro-chrome project at Richards Bay

2007
Joekels Tea Packers buys the tea business of the Coffee Tea and Chocolate (CTC) company from Pioneer Foods

2008
Tata Steel KZN begins production at the Richards Bay, South Africa plant

2008
Neotel acquires Transtel