Botswana tycoon Ramachandran Ottapathu's Engen takeover faces public competition hearing
Botswana's competition regulator has opened Ramachandran Ottapathu's bid for 70% of Engen Botswana to public submissions before reaching a decision.
Ramachandran Ottapathu
Ramachandran Ottapathu arrived in Botswana with BWP200 and built a $40 million retail empire
Ramachandran Ottapathu arrived in Botswana from a small Kerala town with BWP200 and no connections, then built Choppies into southern Africa's largest grocery chain outside South Africa.
Choppies CEO boosts stake with $1 million share purchase, signaling confidence in recovery
Choppies CEO Ramachandran Ottapathu buys 19.5 million shares worth about US$1 million, signaling confidence as the Botswana retailer works to cement its turnaround.
Botswana tycoon Ramachandran Ottapathu’s Choppies rakes in $346 million in six months
Choppies' H1 2025 revenue surged 19.4% to $346.2 million, driven by new stores, inflation, and sales growth. Profit rose despite margin pressures in key markets.
Botswana tycoon Ramachandran Ottapathu’s Choppies rakes in $346 million in just six months
Choppies' H1 2025 revenue surged 19.4% to $346.2 million, driven by new stores, inflation, and sales growth. Profit rose despite margin pressures in key markets.
Botswana retail tycoon Ramachandran Ottapathu’s Choppies sells Zimbabwe unit to local retailer
Botswana’s Choppies exits Zimbabwe, selling its 30-store retail business to Sai Mart as it refocuses on profitable markets amid economic challenges.
Choppies enters talks to exit Zimbabwe operations
The potential deal seeks to streamline Choppies' operations and focus on profitable markets amid Zimbabwe's challenging retail sector.
Botswana tycoon Ramachandran Ottapathu leads Choppies to $12.5-million profit
Choppies' profit for the period reached BWP164 million ($12.5 million), up from BWP150 million ($11.4 million) in the previous fiscal year.
Botswana tycoon Farouk Ismail’s Choppies to pay first dividends since 2017
The founders, Ramachandran Ottapathu and Farouk Ismail, are poised to benefit from the dividend payout.
15 richest people on the Botswana Stock Exchange
Meet the 15 individuals who own the highest stock ownership positions on the Botswana Stock Exchange.
One of Botswana’s richest men, Ramachandran Ottapathu, loses $2.3 million
As the co-founder of Choppies, Ottapathu owns a controlling 24.48-percent stake in the supermarket chain, totaling 316,353,058 ordinary shares.
5 companies owned by Botswana businessman Ramachandran Ottapathu
Through his leadership roles at The Far Property Co. and Choppies Enterprises, Ottapathu has masterminded a remarkable transformation.
Botswana tycoon Ottapathu faces $6.7-million loss from Choppies investment
Ottapathu owns a controlling 24.48-percent stake in Choppies, totaling 316,353,058 ordinary shares.
Botswana tycoon Ramachandran Ottapathu challenges Choppies Supermarket’s Zimbabwe eviction
Choppies operates as a key player in the food and general merchandise retail sectors under the leadership of Ottapathu.
One of Botswana’s richest businessmen, Ramachandran Ottapathu, loses $3.8 million in 2023
The decline in the market value of Ottapathu’s stake in Choppies reminds us of the risks associated with equity investments.
Retail tycoon Ramachandran Ottapathu’s Choppies lays off 826 workers in Botswana in 2022
Choppies Enterprises is Botswana’s largest retail chain.