James Kwame Rajamani | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Rajamani in 2022 | |
| Born | James Gnanaraj Rajamani |
| Other names | James Kwame Rajamani |
| Citizenship | Ghanaian |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, business executive |
| Organization | Kingdom Exim Group |
| Known for | Chairman of India Africa Trade Council and his philanthropy works |
| Title | Executive Chairman |
| Honours | Honorary Rotarian, Nalag Patron |
| Website | james |
James Gnanaraj Rajamani (also known as James Kwame Rajamani) is an Indian-born Ghanaian business executive and philanthropist.[1] He is the co-founder and Executive Chairman of the Kingdom Exim Group, a conglomerate with interests in agriculture, shipping, logistics, and engineering.
In 2021, he was appointed as the Chairman of the India-Africa Trade Council (IATC) for Central and West Africa.[2]
Early life[edit | edit source]
Rajamani was born in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin), a port city in Tamil Nadu, India. He began his career as an electrical engineer in India, working on projects within Tamil Nadu, before moving to Mauritius to work as an engineering supervisor.
In 2005, Rajamani relocated to Ghana, originally taking a position as a maintenance engineer. He later established Kingdom Exim Ghana Limited, which focused on purchasing and exporting scrap metals and agro-commodities. He eventually naturalized as a Ghanaian citizen.
Career[edit | edit source]
Kingdom Exim Group[edit | edit source]
In 2008, Rajamani co-founded Kingdom Exim Ghana Limited. The company initially focused on the trade of agricultural commodities such as cashew nuts, shea nuts, and soybeans. It later expanded into a diversified conglomerate, the Kingdom Exim Group of Companies (KEGC).[3] By 2020, reports indicated the company had invested approximately $25 million into the Ghanaian cashew industry.[4]
The group operates subsidiaries across various sectors, including:
- Agro-commodities: Kingdom Agric
- Shipping & Logistics: Basileia Shipping and Logistics
- Engineering: Kings Engineering and Construction
- Technology: Kingdom Technologies
- Consultancy: Kingdom Biz Avenue
- Manufacturing: Big Stars Animal Feed
India-Africa Trade Council[edit | edit source]
In 2021, Rajamani was appointed as the Chairman of the India-Africa Trade Council (IATC) for the Central and West African region. In this role, he facilitates trade relations between business entities in India and the West African sub-region, with a focus on agriculture and technology transfer.[5][6]
Recognition[edit | edit source]
Rajamani was awarded African Governance & Corporate Leadership (2016), the Ghana Business Awards (2018–23), and Presidents Exporter of the year(2015–24).[7]
Philanthropy[edit | edit source]
Rajamani organizes philanthropic activities through the Kingdom Exim Group's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
- National Farmers Day: In December 2022, the company donated GH¢500,000 to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support the 38th National Farmers Day celebration.[8][9]
- COVID-19 Response: During the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana, Rajamani donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), food, and sanitation supplies to the Tema East Constituency, the Techiman North District, and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly.[10][11]
- Community Support: He has funded scholarships for students in the Tema region and donated equipment to the Green Ghana Initiative.[12][13]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Kingdom Exim Group CEO, MD awarded honorary doctorates". MyJoyOnline. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ Admin (2021-07-23). "India Africa Trade Council appoints Chief Executive Officer". Ghanaian Times. Accra, Ghana. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ "Kingdom Exim Ghana wins 5 top awards". Citi Newsroom. 2022-12-14. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ "Cashew Trade Gets US15-million Dollar Boost". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ "Kingdom Exim Group, IATC welcome top international investors". MyJoyOnline. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ "Ghana opens doors to Tamil Nadu industrialists". The Times of India. 2023-04-03. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ "Kingdom Exim wins big at National Governance & Leadership Awards". Daily Graphic. Accra, Ghana. 2021-08-23. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ↑ "Kingdom Exim group supports Farmers' Day with GH₵500,000". Citi Newsroom. 2022-12-06. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ Etefe, Juliet (2022-12-08). "Kingdom Exim Group takes centre-stage at 38th Farmers' Day Celebration". Business and Financial Times. Accra, Ghana. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ COVID-19 Pandemic: Kingdom Exim group donates relief items. JoyNews. 2020-09-14. Retrieved 2026-02-10 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Kingdom Exim: A Ghanaian company fighting Covid-19 from its own resources". MyJoyOnline. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ "Kingdom Exim Group awarded TMA Mayor's Excellence Award". MyJoyOnline. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ "TMA enacts bye-law to promote green environment". Daily Graphic. Accra, Ghana. 2022-06-23. Retrieved 2026-02-10.