Our History
Delivering Excellence Since 1969
Our Founder
Born in 1925 in Wadi Halfa, Sudan, Merghani Mahgoub was an entrepreneur and a progressive agricultural thinker
Who had an extraordinary vision for Sudan; a flourishing greener Sudan, motivated by a deep commitment to Sudan and its people, and an overarching philosophy that agriculture is the key to the country’s economic and social development.
With a degree in agriculture from Gordon College, in 1955, Mr. Mahgoub ventured out on his own, focusing on growing sorghum in El-Gedaref State – East Sudan and later expanding into the production of cotton, sunflower, and sesame seeds. It was then that the African Plantation Company (APCO) was born, the first company under Mahgoub Sons Group.
Among his many achievements, Merghani Mahgoub established the first agricultural consultancy firm in Sudan; Technical Consultation Services (TCS) which played a pivotal role in the development of the Kenana Project, El Gezira Scheme and the Aweel Rice Production. In 1966 Mr. Mahgoub was elected to represent the state of New Halfa in Parliament.
Our History
1955
Technical Consultancy Services
Founded the first agricultural consultancy firm in Sudan.
1969
African Plantation Company (APCO)
The birth of our agricultural company, the heart and soul of the group.
1979
Engineering
MSG Engineering was set up to provide agricultural inputs and services to the growing farm operations and growing market.
1990
Trading
The group’s main trading arm, established to streamline the import and export operations.
1992
Commodore Transport
Excelling in the import/export business requires timely shipments and access to off-road production areas. Commodore was established to complement the business and serve the rural transport market.
1994
Delta Food
First established to enter the food import market through importing bulk lentils, sugar, flour and milk.
1998
Cleaning & Hulling
A subsidiary to MSG Trading and in line with group strategy, crop cleaning plants were established to process all major cash crops geared for export in order to increase value and eliminate export of raw material.
2007
Liberty Steel JV
Joint Venture in Steel Manufacturing with Liberty Group.
2012
Delta Pack
The group’s first entry into the consumer market through repacking of imported bulk food items into consumer sizes and distributed by Delta Food.
2014
Al Mahgoub Pharmaceuticals
Venture into the import and distribution of pharmaceutical products.
2015
MSG Media
A diversified venture into the media world, acquiring a majority stake in the nation’s number 1 television channel.
2016
Sudania24 TV
Launching a new specialised channel addressing socio-economic topics climbing to number 1 in the country.
Ginning Plant 1 – Al Hourri
Launching the group’s first ginning plant in Gedaref State
2017
ALC / Delta Sweets / Afriplast
In line with the group’s value addition strategy, 2017 was a milestone year with the launch of multiple ventures:
- Delta Sweets which processes sesame into halva, and tahini for local and export markets.
- African Livestock Company focusing on cattle fattening.
- Afriplast factory producing high quality PP Bags for bulk imports and exports.
2018
Ginning Plant 2 - Maranjan
Establishment of 2nd Ginning Plant in Gezira State
2019
Africot
A subsidiary of MSG Trading, Africot is the cotton export arm and the only Sudanese member of the International Cotton Association.
2019/20
Ginning Plant 3 - Simeh
Establishment of 3rd Ginning Plant in Simeh, North Kordofan
2020
Holding Co.
The Group began the process of solidifying its transformation from a family business to corporate governance and established MSG Holding.
2022
Ginning Plant 4 - Halfa
Opening of Fourth Ginning Plant in New Halfa, with all these the company now operates over 60% of the country’s ginning capacity.
2024
Al Motakamla
A subsidiary of MSG Agriculture, the company with its specialised fleet provides agricultural services and earth works including road works, irrigation canals and other infrastructure projects.
2025
Oil & Delta Confectionary
Two investments in the oil sector:
- Ginning established a cottonseed oil press to provide further services to its customers
- Sesame Oil cold press from Delta Food
In addition, MSG Food launches 4 new product lines in the confectionary industry utilising crops produced by MSG Agriculture.