Murtaza A. Lakhani is a pioneering entrepreneur and global leader in the energy and commodities sector. He is the Founder and CEO of the Mercantile & Maritime Group, an integrated energy company operating across four continents.
With more than 35 years of experience, Mr. Lakhani began his career as an oil trader in the 1980s and went on to establish his first independent ventures in Cyprus and Iraq. Over a decade ago, he founded Mercantile & Maritime, which has since traded more than one billion barrels of oil and built flagship assets including MENA Terminals in Fujairah and Jetoil in Greece, supported by a nationwide retail network. Today, the Group operates as an integrated player across the energy value chain, combining oil trading, storage, and downstream distribution, while actively working across continents to connect markets throughout the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and beyond.
Earlier in his career, he held senior roles with major multinational trading houses and managed his family’s businesses in Pakistan, building early expertise in global trade.
A self-taught entrepreneur, Mr. Lakhani is equally committed to responsible growth, championing environmental stewardship, and community initiatives that advance healthcare, education, food security, and youth development worldwide.