His philanthropic journey began early. After joining the family conglomerate MeTL Group, which produces affordable consumer goods and operates in sectors like fuel and transport, Dewji focused on serving East Africa's lower-income communities.
He later served as a Member of Parliament for a decade, personally funding schools, wells, farming equipment, and a hospital eye care unit.
In 2014, he launched the Mo Dewji Foundation, and since then it has funded more than $5 million in health, water, and education programs.
In December, the foundation announced it had received more than 2,600 applications for its education initiative the Mo Scholars Program—a 65% increase on the year prior.
In 2016, Dewji pledged to donate “well above” half his net worth, which was estimated at more than $2 billion last year, saying: “All these material comforts that surround us are temporary accessories and this is why, I decided a long time ago that I do not need any more personal wealth.”