When Irshad Ginwala registered at Limkokwing University in 2007, he had no idea he'd end up running a multimillion-dollar business. He was just a kid from Zambia, pushed by his family to get a degree in international business. Fast forward to 2024, and Irshad's back at his alma mater, sharing his story with a new generation of students.
“I didn’t think I’d need that degree,” Irshad admits with a chuckle. “I was just trying to get it done so I could go home and run the family business.” Irshad’s company, PAZA Trading, is the oldest distributor for Zambia Sugar PLC, a heavyweight in the industry, owned by Associated British Foods. One of the company’s significant achievements was selling close to 25,000 tons of sugar domestically in a single year.
Irshad’s journey from reluctant student to successful entrepreneur is a reminder that success doesn’t always follow a straight path and that sometimes, the degree you think you don’t need can open doors you never expected.
Irshad doesn’t sugarcoat it (pun intended): the commodity business is tough. “Sugar is like legal crack,” he says, drawing laughs from the crowd. “It’s in everything, from Coca-Cola to birthday cakes.” For Irshad, it’s not just about moving sweet stuff around. What’s interesting about Irshad isn’t just his business portfolio - it’s how he runs things. He’s big on character and hard work. For him, it’s all about flexibility and being willing to learn. This willingness to explore different paths has served him well, allowing him to branch out from sugar into timber and other commodities. Irshad’s company has now expanded into timber exports, salt, rice, flour, and mealie meals.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Irshad talks candidly about the challenges of exporting commodities from a landlocked country like Zambia. “You can have everything lined up - the trucks, the paperwork - but if the shipping company doesn’t have containers, you’re stuck,” he explains. It’s a juggling act that requires patience and meticulous planning.
Irshad’s story is not just about making money—it’s about adapting, seizing opportunities, and never stop learning. Irshad credits much of his success to the network he built at Limkokwing. “Never burn bridges,” he advises, quoting a lesson from the university’s founder. This philosophy has helped him maintain business relationships for over thirty years.
He encourages the students to see their classmates as potential future business partners. “You never know who’ll end up where,” he says.
Irshad’s final piece of advice? “Be open to opportunities, work hard, and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.” It’s not revolutionary, but coming from a guy who’s gone from sugar to timber and turning those into gold, it carries weight.
Limkokwing University isn’t just a backdrop in Irshad’s story - it’s a key player. The university’s emphasis on creativity and entrepreneurship provided fertile ground for Irshad’s business acumen to grow. It’s where he learned to think outside the box, a skill that’s served him well in the unpredictable world of commodity trading. The connections he made here, from fellow students to lecturers, formed the foundation of his global network.
But Irshad Ginwala’s return to Limkokwing isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s part of the university’s ongoing commitment to bridging the gap between education and industry. By bringing successful alumni like Irshad back to campus, Limkokwing is giving its students a real-world perspective on what it takes to succeed. It’s one thing to learn about international business from a textbook - it’s another to hear from someone who’s navigated the complexities of exporting commodities from a landlocked country. In this way, Limkokwing is not just preparing students for the job market - it’s giving them a glimpse into the entrepreneurial possibilities that await them after graduation.
