Yousuf M.A. Naghi & Sons Group

About the Founder and Founding Story

The founding story of Yousuf M.A. Naghi & Sons Group began in 1911, when Yousuf’s father, Mohamed Abdulwahab Naghi, laid the foundation for the business in Jeddah.^[8] Mohamed’s father, Abdulwahab, was a goldsmith in Mecca, where Mohamed was born. Mohamed lost his father when he was about 13 years old, and moved to Jeddah, which was a small trading and fishing port at the time, with his mother. He found work with the Jamjoom family, who later recommended him to a member of the Zainal family, who was looking to hire someone to help with their trade business. Mohamed subsequently opened a small wholesale-oriented shop in Jeddah’s Al-Khaskiyah Market.^[9]

Growth Phase 

In 1911, Mohamed founded Mohammed Abdul Wahab Naghi & Co, a business that engaged in import and trade activities.^[10] The company was later taken over by Mohamed’s children, including Ahmad (born 1934) and Yousuf Naghi (born ca. 1937), both of whom had worked for years in the family business.^[11] The brothers had started out in business with a variety of goods, such as personal care products and beverages.^[12] Eventually, Ahmad became company president, and the business continued to grow and diversify as Saudi Arabia’s economy boomed following the discovery of oil.^[13]  Around 1988, a dispute arose between the brothers; however, it was ultimately resolved^[14].

Drawing on the legacy of his father’s business, Yousuf pursued an independent business venture, founding the Yousuf M.A. Naghi & Sons Group, a company that operates across sectors including distribution and logistics.^[15] With his wife, Huda Mohammed Omar Jamjoom, Yousuf had four sons: Mohammed, Yasser, Saleh, and Ammar.^[16]

As Yousuf’s business proved increasingly successful and established multiple subsidiaries, the Naghi name became recognized as that of a key player in numerous market sectors.^[17] His sons became closely involved in the company, and around 1989, Mohamed Yousuf Naghi & Brothers Group was established as a subsidiary of Yousuf M.A. Naghi & Sons Group,^[18] eventually operating in sectors including automotive sales and distribution, private and public transportation, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), and logistics. One of its subsidiaries, Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Co. (MYNM), was chosen as the BMW Group’s official importer in Saudi Arabia in 1990 and later became the kingdom’s sole authorized Rolls-Royce dealer.^[19] Another subsidiary founded in the late 1980s, the Cigalah Group, has been under the chairmanship of third-generation Yasser Yousuf Naghi since then, growing into a diverse conglomerate with operations in pharmaceuticals, healthcare, FMCG, watches, jewelry, textiles, and food production and packaging.^[20] In 1990, the company established United Yousef M. Naghi Co Ltd, focused on the electronic and home appliance sectors.^[21] Later in the decade, Yousuf M.A. Naghi & Sons Group founded its fourth subsidiary: Arabian Food Supplies, a catering services and retail outlet company.^[22]

Today

Today, the Yousuf M.A. Naghi & Sons Group operates as a holding company for its main four subsidiaries —Mohamed Yousuf Naghi & Brothers Group, Cigalah Group, Arabian Food Supplies, and United Yousef M. Naghi Co.—each under the management of Yousef’s four sons.^[23] The holding company is currently under the management of Chairman Mohammed Yousuf Naghi.^[24] Headquartered in Jeddah, the group operates a broad network of over 200 offices, warehouses, and showrooms, employing more than 12,000 people. In addition to Saudi Arabia, it has active operations in the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.^[25]