Sanjay Awasthi
Chairman & Managing Director
Tembo Steels (U) Ltd (TSUL) | Uganda, East Africa
Janam Bhumi:
Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Dharma Bhumi:
UP, India
Karma Bhumi:
Uganda, East Africa
The 8-8-8 Code to Success & Life
The ‘Sanjay’ Factor: “A leader must first know the path, then show the path, and finally step aside to let others lead the way forward.”
THE MAN
Sanjay Awasthi moved to Uganda with a clear motive. He wanted to earn enough so that he could retire early.
Awasthi was born in 1972, in Kanpur, and was the only child of a businessman father, who taught him the value of passion and hard work. His mother, a homemaker, who now lives with him in Uganda, instilled in him the importance of honesty. “Whatever I do, I remain honest,” he says.
After completing his schooling and earning an engineering degree in metallurgy and materials science, he joined an office, but the constraints of employment sparked a far grander vision. He says, “Entrepreneurship gives you freedom to think, innovate and contribute to the economy and society on a larger scale.”
In 1996, Awasthi started his first company, Vaibhav Castings, about 70 km from Kanpur. “I had taken a loan of about ₹1.5 crore from the Uttar Pradesh Finance Corporation (UPFC) and a working facility from Punjab National Bank (PNB) to set it up. The company soon became the “darling of the region” for its productivity and efficiency, earning appreciation for its induction technology performance and being recognised as the best-operating facility in the region. Success was great and money was good. But Awasthi’s goal post was different. “I wanted early retirement,” he says. Thus began his round-the-world recce to find a place that would help him achieve this.
THE JOURNEY
Awasthi explored and researched potential opportunities in over 50 countries, eventually settling on Africa’s extraordinary and untapped potential. In 2000, Sanjay moved with his family to Uganda.
He built Tembo Steels (U) Ltd (TSUL) from the ground up, making it one of East Africa’s largest corporations and a key pillar of the Ugandan economy.
Awasthi saw a gap and turned it into an opportunity that now provides employment to thousands across the world. Under his innovation-driven leadership, TSUL’s portfolio has evolved to offer the entire steel value chain, serving a wide variety of markets. His pioneering commitment to sustainability has set global benchmarks. He proudly shares, “We have created a miniature model of green steel matrix in primary steelmaking that emits only 700 kg of CO₂ per tonne of steel. We have achieved the best CO₂ matrix across the globe. We also own the lightest structural steel profiles in the world, produced directly from liquid steel through continuous casting and rolling.”
Awasthi chose the name ‘Tembo’, which means elephant in Swahili, as a grateful nod to Africa and a reverent bow to Lord Ganesha, the Hindu elephant-headed deity, who symbolises wisdom and prosperity. The company continues to live up to its name, rising with strength and stability, led by Awasthi’s far-reaching vision.
THE SPIRIT WITHIN
Awasthi is not one for materialism. He says, “No doubt, money initially makes you happy, but I find my happiness in utilising that money for social causes.”
A believer in quiet philanthropy, he supports many causes in India and Uganda. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his company worked to provide critical medical aid, ensuring oxygen supply reached all hospitals free of cost from TSUL plants, in collaboration with the government across the region. To balance the carbon footprint, he has also spearheaded the cultivation of a mini forest on TSUL campus and has partnered with the government to plant nearly 5,000 trees to actively restore the local environment. TSUL also conducts community health camps and supports education and water projects. There is a particular initiative that Awasthi is very emotional about. He shares, “Sponsoring 50 Ugandan children to receive life-saving heart surgeries in India, has been among the biggest achievements of my life.”
THE LEGACY
For someone who has seen his share of challenges, Awasthi has a very Zen aura. Turns out, the secret lies in living the 8-8-8 life. He says, “I have found the ideal equation for work-life balance. I have divided the day into 8 hours for a good sleep, 8 hours for work, and 8 hours for family.”
Family is important. After all, the success he has seen so far would not have been possible without them. His wife, Seenu, who is also a Director at TSUL, is the perfect partner. Their children – Tripti and Nishant are both management graduates, who have joined the company to take it forward.
As for Awasthi, the goal post has evolved. He smiles and declares, “I will never retire. The joy of accomplishment and the thrill of achieving what nobody has achieved will keep me going.” Sanjay Awasthi’s “passion for steel” remains his molten core for forging ahead.
MAPPING THE INDIA WITHIN
Bharat: Then and Now
“India has changed a lot. It is now among the top economies and doing very well in software and automobiles. But there are still grey areas. We are the fourth-largest economy, yet our per capita income is around three thousand dollars. The numbers look big, but the wealth is not equally distributed. India needs more high-value work and realistic changes to bring real economic balance.”
Bharatiya Values that Travelled
“Honesty, respect, empathy – these are the values that shaped me. When I came to Uganda, I found that the people here shared the same values. It was like being back home. So, it has been easy for us to stay rooted in Indian culture and the shared values.
Generations Abroad: A New Bharatiya Identity
“My children have now joined the company, and I’m happy to see them bring fresh ideas while staying grounded. My daughter studied in the UK and still chose to come back to Uganda, which shows how deeply these values run. India is my foundation; Africa has given me everything. Together, they define who we are today.”
Pride, Progress, and the Spirit Of Bharat
“I am proud of being Indian. India has a rich history and culture that once influenced all of Asia. Nalanda was the world’s oldest university — our civilisation led in knowledge and trade. I believe that Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has done a fabulous job with his vision and hard work.”
Dreams for the Youth and Future of Bharat
“India has achieved a lot, but the real journey is still ahead. For India to truly prosper, wealth must reach all its people. We also need continued, steady leadership for decades to come. If this pace sustains, India can become a truly wealthy and balanced society. To the youth, I say focus on adapting to new technologies. Smart work will replace hard work. If India’s youth work with discipline, creativity, and empathy, the country can achieve anything.”
BACK TO THE FUTURE – IN FIVE MOMENTS
Food Cravings
THEN
My favourite food was samosa — I was crazy about it.
NOW
I eat healthy food now, but samosas will always remain my favourite.
Sport Spirit
THEN
Cricket and badminton were my go-to games.
NOW
I still play cricket and badminton. My house has a big compound, so the ball never even reaches the boundary!
Music Tastes
THEN
I grew up listening to old Indian melodies.
NOW
I still enjoy those old songs, though these days I spend more time keeping up with business and technology news than music.
Holiday Life
THEN
Holidays meant time with family and cousins.
NOW
I love the sea. The coastline is my sanctuary. When we travel, we choose quiet villages and towns instead of cities. I prefer places far from the madding crowd.
Leisure Habits
THEN
After school, it was always sports with friends.
NOW
I enjoy gardening and cooking. We grow vegetables on our own 2,000sqm patch and cook them at home. I’m an excellent cook, maybe even better than my wife! (laughs)
AKA
Sanjay Awasthi Chairman and Managing Director | Chairman Tembo Steels Uganda | Managing Director Tembo Steels (U) Ltd | Sanjay Awasthi TSUL
