Jagat Shah: Leading a Tech Revolution Across Emerging Markets
When most saw limitations, Jagat Shah saw a once-in-a-generation opportunity. In 1998, he and his brother Mitesh Shah started their operations in Kenya as an IT reseller, offering a single product. This company has now grown to be a premier IT, Telecommunications, AI, and Enterprise distributor across the Middle East and Africa region.
What began as a small operation in Kenya has since evolved into MITSUMI Distribution, a powerhouse that now operates in over 30 countries, bridging global innovation with regional needs. Under Jagat Shah’s visionary leadership as Chairman & CEO, MITSUMI doesn’t just distribute technology—it delivers transformation, enabling economies, businesses, and communities to thrive in the digital age.
Digital Revolution Across Africa and the Middle East
What began in 1998 as a bold vision shared by brothers Jagat Shah, Chairman & CEO, and Mitesh Shah, Co-Chairman & Managing Director, has grown into a transformative force in the world of technology distribution. Mitsumi Distribution was founded with a singular mission—to bridge the widening technology gap across Africa and the Middle East. At a time when digital infrastructure in these regions was still in its early stages, the Shah brothers foresaw immense potential and set out to build a distribution network that would not only deliver cutting-edge IT solutions but also empower entire economies.
Today, Mitsumi operates across 30+ countries while seamlessly connecting global tech giants with emerging markets and facilitating access to innovations in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and enterprise IT. With a relentless focus on customer needs, data-driven agility, and vendor-aligned strategies, the company has become a catalyst for progress in IT distribution—driving digital transformation and shaping the future of technology adoption across the MEA region.
From Humble Beginnings to Regional Leadership
MITSUMI Distribution’s journey began in Kenya as a modest IT reseller with just one product—but a powerful vision. From day one, the mission was clear: to bridge the technology divide and deliver world-class solutions to emerging markets.
Strategic partnerships with global technology leaders like HP and Dell have been instrumental in propelling MITSUMI’s growth while solidifying its position as a trusted provider of enterprise, consumer, and infrastructure solutions. The company’s active presence at high-profile industry events, including GITEX Africa 2025, underscores its dedication to innovation and market leadership. Driven by a strong foundation of customer-centric values, operational excellence, and forward-looking strategies, MITSUMI continues to push the boundaries of IT distribution—shaping the digital landscape across the regions it proudly serves.
Navigating Complexity with Intelligence and Agility
The distribution landscape is shaped by constant change—economic shifts, regulatory challenges, and the rising demand for agile supply chains. With its forward-thinking approach, MITSUMI has turned complexity into opportunity by reinforcing its logistics ecosystem with cutting-edge, real-time analytics and AI-powered forecasting tools. These innovations have enabled MITSUMI to anticipate demand fluctuations, optimize delivery routes, and implement a multi-channel fulfillment strategy that ensures consistency across markets.
Rather than reacting to disruptions in freight logistics or inflation-driven volatility, MITSUMI proactively adapts—minimizing bottlenecks and guaranteeing uninterrupted access to critical technology products. This strategic agility not only strengthens operational efficiency but also cements MITSUMI’s role as a reliable enabler for businesses navigating today’s dynamic global markets.
Driving Distribution Through Intelligent Innovation
At the heart of MITSUMI’s success lies a bold commitment to innovation—one that redefines efficiency and responsiveness in the ever-evolving world of IT distribution. The company has embraced predictive analytics to streamline procurement, AI-enhanced systems to fine-tune inventory management, and IoT-enabled tracking for real-time visibility across its supply chain. With automation integrated into critical operations, MITSUMI has significantly reduced lead times and improved precision.
What sets the company apart is its ability to blend cutting-edge technology with regional insight—developing tailored logistics models that adapt swiftly to local market demands. This fusion of digital intelligence and market understanding has enabled MITSUMI to build a smart, adaptive distribution network that connects manufacturers, resellers, and end-users with unmatched agility and reliability.
The Next Wave of Digital Transformation
As digital transformation accelerates across the globe, MITSUMI Distribution remains at the forefront—adapting to shifting software cycles, rising cloud adoption, and AI-led automation that are reshaping the distribution landscape. A prime example lies in the upcoming end-of-support for Microsoft Windows 10, a transition set to trigger widespread enterprise upgrades to Windows 11. This moment presents significant opportunities in hardware, licensing, and cloud services—and MITSUMI is already ahead of the curve.
By reinforcing partnerships with global tech giants, expanding its portfolio of next-gen devices, and elevating its cloud-based solutions, the company is strategically positioned to meet the rising demand. Backed by a data-driven mindset, MITSUMI not only keeps pace with industry change—it anticipates it, aligning its distribution model to fuel the next era of digital advancement.
Embedding Sustainability into the Heart of Operations
At MITSUMI, sustainability is not just a corporate initiative—it’s a collective responsibility embraced across every level of the organization. Recognizing that meaningful change begins from within, the company has woven eco-conscious practices into the fabric of its workplace culture.
From transitioning to paperless operations and implementing digital workflows to adopting cloud-based systems that minimize waste, MITSUMI is reimagining its offices for a greener future. Energy efficiency is a key focus, with smart climate controls, LED lighting, and power-saving protocols deployed across regional hubs.
However, it’s the active engagement of employees that truly powers this shift. Through targeted sustainability awareness programs, team members are inspired to adopt environmentally responsible habits—from recycling and waste reduction to lowering carbon footprints. By cultivating a workplace where sustainability is a shared value, MITSUMI is building a business that is not only forward-looking but also deeply aligned with the planet’s well-being.
Expanding Horizons Through Strategic Alliances
MITSUMI’s global growth story is powered by purposeful partnerships that unlock access to high-potential markets and accelerate technological impact. A recent collaboration with NETGEAR in Saudi Arabia marks a pivotal expansion into one of the Middle East’s most vibrant ICT landscapes—positioning the company to meet the soaring demand for advanced networking solutions in a rapidly digitizing economy.
At the same time, new alliances with APC across West and East Africa are fortifying MITSUMI’s presence in key regions, enabling the distribution of critical power protection and infrastructure technologies. These strategic partnerships are more than business ventures—they’re a testament to MITSUMI’s commitment to delivering value, driving innovation, and solidifying its stature as a premier distribution powerhouse in both emerging and established markets around the globe.
Building Resilience Amid Global Uncertainty
With geopolitical shifts, evolving trade policies, and economic unpredictability, the global supply chain is under constant pressure. From currency volatility and inflation to regional trade blocs and semiconductor shortages, distribution dynamics are being redefined. MITSUMI rises to this challenge with a proactive, diversified approach—anchored in multi-region warehousing, agile logistics, and robust risk mitigation frameworks.
By combining deep regional expertise with strategic forecasting and AI-powered supply chain optimization, the company ensures seamless operations despite ongoing disruptions. This commitment to resilience not only safeguards business continuity but also empowers MITSUMI to deliver consistent value across borders, regardless of global market turbulence.
AI Redefining the Future of Distribution
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly becoming the cornerstone of transformation in global distribution—and MITSUMI is leading the charge. With intelligent automation reshaping every link in the supply chain, the company is deploying AI-powered demand forecasting, route optimization, and smart warehousing solutions to elevate operational agility.
While these advancements are cutting lead times and reducing costs, they are also empowering data-driven decision-making in real-time. As AI continues to evolve, its potential to enhance scalability, mitigate disruptions, and drive efficiency will be nothing short of revolutionary. Under Jagat Shah’s leadership, MITSUMI is embracing AI to build a smarter and more resilient distribution ecosystem for tomorrow.
India: The Next Frontier in MITSUMI’s Growth Journey
With a strong foundation across Africa and the Middle East, MITSUMI is now setting its sights on India—a dynamic market at the forefront of digital transformation. As the country’s IT spending accelerates and its digital economy surges, the demand for trusted distribution partners has never been greater.
MITSUMI’s proven expertise in large-scale distribution, combined with a deep commitment to customer-focused solutions, positions the company as a natural fit for this next phase of expansion. India represents not only a strategic growth opportunity but also a long-term investment in a future shaped by innovation, infrastructure, and inclusive technology access.
Leading with Vision, Integrity, and Innovation
In the fast-paced global distribution sector, true leadership is defined by the ability to anticipate change, adapt swiftly, and uphold a steadfast commitment to excellence. Jagat emphasizes that these qualities have been the cornerstone of his journey. Guided by integrity, Jagat Shah has cultivated trust across the organization and among global partners. With resilience, he has steered the company through market volatility, supply chain complexities, and technological shifts. And through a relentless focus on innovation, he has kept MITSUMI ahead of the curve—embracing disruption as a catalyst for growth.
Jagat Shah believes that agility and strong relationships are the two non-negotiables in the distribution space. The leaders who thrive are those who anticipate trends, build enduring partnerships, and deploy technology to deliver smarter, faster solutions. Above all, a customer-first mindset remains essential to ensure the evolving needs of businesses and consumers are always met with precision and care. With these guiding principles, Jagat Shah continues to chart a bold course for MITSUMI, setting a powerful example of leadership that is as visionary as it is values-driven.
A Message to the Next Generation
To those stepping into the dynamic world of distribution, Jagat Shah offers advice rooted in experience and foresight: embrace change, prioritize knowledge, and nurture partnerships that matter. As the global distribution sector undergoes rapid transformation—driven by digital innovation, evolving supply chains, and emerging market demands—success lies in the ability not just to react, but to anticipate.
According to Jagat Shah, technology is an indispensable ally. From AI-enhanced logistics and blockchain-driven transparency to end-to-end automation, the tools for growth are within reach for those willing to leverage them. Yet beyond the digital shift, he emphasizes a foundational truth: the heart of distribution lies in relationships. It is trust, reliability, and long-term collaboration that turn transactions into enduring partnerships.
Building a Legacy of Innovation, Inclusion, and Impact
Looking ahead, Jagat Shah envisions a bold and transformative decade for MITSUMI Distribution. His strategic outlook centers on establishing the company as the most trusted and technologically advanced distribution leader across emerging markets. As digital transformation accelerates, MITSUMI aims to scale operations, enhance market reach, and leverage breakthrough technologies—particularly AI-driven logistics—to drive unparalleled efficiency and sustainable growth.
Targeted expansion into high-potential regions such as the SADC countries and Saudi Arabia, along with deepening alliances with global tech leaders, reflects the company’s focused momentum. Yet, for Shah, the future of distribution extends beyond operational excellence. His broader aspiration is to shape an industry rooted in innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability.
From fostering environmentally responsible practices to empowering talent and promoting ethical business values, Shah’s vision is to create a distribution ecosystem that uplifts economies and bridges digital divides.
“MITSUMI’s journey is not just about distribution – it’s about building a smarter, more connected world, and that is the impact I want to leave behind.”
