Anas Sefrioui, Moroccan billionaire, eyes English football club

Key Points

• Anas Sefrioui, Moroccan billionaire, eyes Sheffield Wednesday FC amid fan unrest over owner Chansiri’s $13.4 million loss and $92 million debt burden.
• The club reported $35.3M in revenue last year but remains in financial distress, opening the door for potential takeover by Sefrioui.
• Sefrioui’s net worth rebounded to $1.6B after Groupe Addoha’s stock surge; he owns 260.7M shares worth a controlling 64.78% stake.

Moroccan billionaire Anas Sefrioui, who recently rejoined the ranks of the world’s billionaires, is now making headlines in global sports. His latest move involves purchasing an English football club, with Sheffield Wednesday FC, currently competing in the EFL Championship, emerging as a potential candidate.

Billionaire Sefrioui mulls club buy

The club’s possible acquisition comes amid growing dissatisfaction among Sheffield Wednesday fans with the current owner, Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri. Since taking ownership in 2015, Chansiri has faced sharp criticism over financial mismanagement, poor communication, and the team’s struggles on the field.

While Chansiri has said he’s open to selling the club for the right price, he’s been reluctant to confirm that he’s actively seeking a buyer. Despite this, Sheffield Wednesday reported £26.3 million ($35.3 million) in revenue for the last financial year, though the club posted a pre-tax loss of £10 million ($13.4 million) and carries a gross debt of £68.2 million ($92 million).

Should Sefrioui move forward with the purchase, he would join fellow African billionaire Nassef Sawiris, who co-owns Aston Villa, in an exclusive group of African billionaires with stakes in English football clubs. However, Sefrioui’s challenge will go beyond the business opportunity, it will be about reviving a club that many see as a sleeping giant. Though he was Morocco’s richest man earlier this year, by the time of this report, he has slipped to third place in the rankings, behind Othman Benjelloun and Aziz Akhannouch.

Groupe Addoha shares boost Sefrioui’s wealth

Anas Sefrioui is best known as the founder and CEO of Groupe Addoha, Morocco’s leading homebuilder, with a strong presence in affordable housing. After a lengthy absence from Africa’s billionaire ranks, he made a striking comeback in 2024.

His 64.78 percent stake in Groupe Addoha, which amounts to 260.7 million shares, has surged in value, pushing his net worth to $1.6 billion. This follows a period of decline, during which his wealth fell below the billion-dollar mark in 2017. The company’s growth in recent times has been fueled by rising stock prices and strong investor confidence in Morocco’s real estate sector.

Under Sefrioui’s leadership, Groupe Addoha has expanded beyond Morocco’s borders, with a notable project in Côte d’Ivoire. This includes a $27 million initiative, backed by the International Finance Corporation, to build 5,600 affordable homes in Greater Abidjan.

From humble beginnings as the son of a plaster manufacturer, Sefrioui entered the real estate industry in the 1980s, capitalizing on Morocco’s demand for social housing. His success has been closely tied to government-backed housing contracts, which have helped drive the company’s growth. The influence of the Sefrioui family is further reinforced by his daughter, Kenza, who serves as the deputy chairman of Groupe Addoha.