Mara’s first company was founded by Ashish J. Thakkar in 1996. Ashish began his entrepreneurial career in business at the age of 15 by borrowing a small loan to set up an IT company in Uganda. Within a year, he transitioned from a high school student to a full time entrepreneur. Mara’s growth has been driven by selectively partnering with multinationals and individuals with subject expertise dedicated to expanding in Africa– thus combining global best practise with Mara’s local knowledge and operational expertise.

Mara has an African heritage dating back to the late 19th century. With roots in Uganda, Mara has expanded across the continent into a wide variety of sectors. Its legacy investments, however, are still very much a part of its DNA. These legacy businesses include: corrugated cardboard manufacturing through Riley Packaging and BPO services though Mara Ison and Ison BPO. These legacy businesses include: corrugated cardboard manufacturing through Riley Packaging and BPO and IT services though Mara Ison and Ison BPO.