Gautam Shantilal Adani, born on June 24, 1962, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, is a prominent Indian billionaire and the founder of the Adani Group, a multinational conglomerate with diverse interests spanning ports, energy, airports, and more. His journey from modest beginnings to becoming one of Asia’s wealthiest individuals is a testament to his entrepreneurial acumen and strategic vision.
Early Life and Education
Adani was born into a Jain family with a textile trading background. He attended Sheth Chimanlal Nagindas Vidyalaya school in Ahmedabad and later enrolled at Gujarat University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in commerce. However, he left university after the second year, opting to gain practical experience over formal education.
Initial Ventures
In 1978, as a teenager, Adani moved to Mumbai to work as a diamond sorter for Mahendra Brothers. This stint provided him with valuable insights into the trading world. In 1981, his elder brother, Mahasukhbhai Adani, acquired a plastics unit in Ahmedabad and invited Gautam to manage the operations. This venture marked Adani’s entry into global trading through polyvinyl chloride (PVC) imports. By 1985, he had begun importing primary polymers for small-scale industries.
Establishment of Adani Group
In 1988, Adani founded Adani Exports, now known as Adani Enterprises, which initially dealt in agricultural and power commodities. The economic liberalization policies of 1991 in India provided a favorable environment for business expansion. Seizing this opportunity, Adani diversified into trading metals, textiles, and agro products.
Expansion into Infrastructure and Energy
A significant turning point came in 1995 when Adani secured the contract to manage Mundra Port in Gujarat. He established the first jetty, which was initially operated by Mundra Port & Special Economic Zone and later transferred to Adani Ports & SEZ (APSEZ). Today, APSEZ stands as India’s largest private multi-port operator, with Mundra Port being the country’s largest private sector port, handling close to 210 million tons of cargo annually.
In 1996, Adani founded Adani Power, marking the group’s entry into the power generation sector. The company now holds thermal power plants with a capacity of 4,620 MW, making it the largest private thermal power producer in India.
Diversification and Global Ventures
The 2000s saw the Adani Group expanding its global footprint. Between 2009 and 2012, the group acquired Abbot Point Port in Australia and the Carmichael coal mine in Queensland, underscoring its ambitions in the international arena.
In May 2020, Adani won the world’s largest solar bid by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), valued at US$6 billion. The 8,000 MW photovoltaic power plant project is being undertaken by Adani Green, with Adani Solar establishing an additional 2,000 MW of solar cell and module manufacturing capacity.
September 2020 marked Adani’s acquisition of a 74% stake in Mumbai International Airport, India’s second busiest airport, further solidifying the group’s presence in the infrastructure sector.
In May 2022, the Adani family acquired Ambuja Cements and its subsidiary ACC from the Swiss building materials giant Holcim Group for $10.5 billion, marking a significant move into the cement industry.
Foray into Media
In August 2022, AMG Media Networks Limited (AMNL), a unit of the Adani Group, announced plans to acquire RRPR Holding, the owner of 29.18% of the national news broadcaster NDTV. This move, which included an open offer to buy an additional 26%, raised concerns about editorial independence in India, given Adani’s perceived proximity to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
Controversies and Legal Challenges
Adani’s business journey has not been without controversies. In January 2023, the American short-selling firm Hindenburg Research accused the Adani Group of stock manipulation and fraud. The report led to a significant decline in the group’s stock value, with Adani’s personal net worth taking a substantial hit. The Adani Group refuted the allegations, labeling them as a “malicious combination of selective misinformation.”
Further challenges emerged in November 2024 when Adani and his associates were charged by a district court in New York for allegedly paying over US$250 million in bribes to Indian government officials to secure favorable energy contracts. Prosecutors also claimed that the group had raised billions in loans and bonds by concealing the scheme from American investors through false and misleading statements. The Adani Group has denied these allegations.
Personal Life
Gautam Adani is married to Priti Adani, a dentist, and they have two sons, Karan and Jeet. Priti Adani serves as the chairperson of the Adani Foundation, the group’s philanthropic arm. Karan is the CEO of Adani Ports & SEZ, while Jeet leads the Adani Airports business and the Adani Digital Labs.
Throughout his life, Adani has faced personal challenges, including a kidnapping incident in 1998 and being present during the 2008 Mumbai attacks at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. These experiences have shaped his resilience and determination in the business world
Gautam Adani’s Business Empire: A Detailed Overview
Gautam Adani, the founder and chairman of Adani Group, has built a vast conglomerate spanning multiple industries, including energy, infrastructure, logistics, mining, and defense. His businesses play a crucial role in India’s economic growth and global trade. Below is a detailed breakdown of his major ventures:
Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL)
(The Flagship Company of Adani Group)
Established in 1988, Adani Enterprises began as a commodity trading firm but has since evolved into a diversified company that incubates new businesses.
It focuses on sectors like energy, mining, defense, airports, data centers, and green hydrogen.
AEL is also responsible for developing new projects before spinning them off into independent companies.
Key Ventures Under AEL:
✔ Adani New Industries Ltd (ANIL): Focuses on renewable energy, hydrogen production, and green infrastructure.
✔ Adani Digital Labs: A technology-driven platform for the group’s businesses, including airports and logistics.
✔ Adani Water Ltd: Developing water treatment and recycling solutions for sustainable water management.
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ)
(India’s Largest Private Port Operator)
Operates 13 major ports across India, including Mundra Port, India’s largest commercial port.
Handles bulk cargo, containerized cargo, and liquid cargo for global trade.
International expansion includes investments in Sri Lanka, Israel, and Australia.
Mundra Port alone handles over 210 million metric tons of cargo annually.
✔ Key Ports Operated by APSEZ:
Mundra Port (Gujarat) – India’s largest private port.
Dhamra Port (Odisha) – Major hub for coal and minerals.
Krishnapatnam Port (Andhra Pradesh) – A key logistics hub.
Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL)
(India’s Largest Renewable Energy Company)
Aims to be the world’s largest renewable energy producer by 2030.
Operates wind, solar, and hybrid power projects.
In 2020, won the largest solar bid globally, securing a $6 billion project to develop 8,000 MW of solar power.
Plans to produce green hydrogen to reduce India’s dependence on fossil fuels.
✔ Major Projects:
Kamuthi Solar Power Project (Tamil Nadu) – One of the world’s largest solar farms.
Hybrid Renewable Energy Park (Gujarat) – Expected to be the world’s largest clean energy hub.
Adani Power Limited (APL)
(India’s Largest Private Thermal Power Producer)
Operates coal-based power plants across India with a generation capacity of 12,450 MW.
Also expanding into renewable and nuclear energy.
Supplies power to various Indian states and industrial zones.
✔ Key Power Plants:
Mundra Thermal Power Plant (4,620 MW, Gujarat)
Tiroda Thermal Power Plant (Maharashtra)
Udupi Power Plant (Karnataka)
Adani Transmission Limited (ATL)
(India’s Largest Private Power Transmission Company)
Operates a network of over 18,500 circuit kilometers of transmission lines across India.
Plays a vital role in distributing power from Adani Power and Adani Green Energy.
Expanding into smart grid technology and renewable energy distribution.
✔ Key Transmission Projects:
Mumbai Electricity Supply Project – Provides power to Mumbai consumers.
Western Region Load Dispatch System – Ensures stable electricity supply in western India.
Adani Total Gas Limited (ATGL)
(Expanding India’s Clean Energy Network)
A joint venture with TotalEnergies (France) to distribute natural gas, LNG, and hydrogen fuel.
Operates City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks in various Indian states.
Plans to expand LNG terminals and green hydrogen fueling stations.
✔ Key Natural Gas Projects:
City Gas Networks in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu.
CNG stations and PNG (Piped Natural Gas) connections for households and industries.
Adani Wilmar Limited (AWL)
(One of India’s Largest FMCG Companies)
A joint venture with Wilmar International (Singapore).
Produces edible oils, packaged foods, and dairy products.
Popular brands include Fortune Cooking Oil, Fortune Basmati Rice, and Fortune Atta.
✔ Major Products:
Edible oils (soybean, sunflower, mustard, etc.).
Packaged food (flour, rice, pulses, sugar).
Dairy products and specialty fats.
Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL)
(India’s Largest Private Airport Operator)
Operates 7 major airports and controls 25% of India’s air traffic.
Invested ₹35,000 crores to modernize Indian airports.
✔ Airports Managed:
Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) – Second busiest in India.
Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, and Mangaluru Airports.
Developing Navi Mumbai International Airport (expected launch: 2026).
Adani Defence & Aerospace
(Strengthening India’s Defense Capabilities)
Produces drones, radars, missile systems, and aerospace technology.
Partnered with Elbit Systems (Israel) and Rave Gears (USA) for defense production.
Developing India’s first private sector defense industrial complex.
✔ Key Projects:
Military drones for the Indian Army.
Combat radar systems for defense forces.
Ammunition and missile manufacturing.
Adani Cement (Ambuja & ACC)
(Expanding into India’s Construction Industry)
Acquired Ambuja Cements and ACC Ltd. for $10.5 billion in 2022.
Became India’s second-largest cement manufacturer with a capacity of 73.6 MTPA.
Aims to increase production to 140 MTPA by 2030.
✔ Major Cement Brands:
Ambuja Cement – Premium quality cement.
ACC Cement – Used in large-scale infrastructure projects.