When industries face slowdowns, rising costs, or product failures, it’s often because they lack the right chemicals, ingredients, or technical guidance. Without proper inputs or expertise, production can stall, product quality can suffer, costs can rise, and companies risk losing customers. Many struggle to find reliable products, sustainable solutions, or expert advice, leading to wasted time, resources, and missed opportunities.
Guided by this purpose, Boston Moonsamy, Managing Director of Azelis South Africa, has dedicated his career to helping industries across the region grow smarter and more sustainably. With a strong foundation in chemistry and biochemistry, he blends technical expertise with business insight to connect global innovation with local market realities. Under his guidance, companies gain access to world-class technologies, efficient supply chains, and environmentally responsible solutions that enhance performance and sustainability. His focus on collaboration and long-term value creation has shaped the region’s approach to responsible industrial growth.
Azelis has a robust global presence, employing over 4,300 people across 65 countries. The company collaborates with around 2,800 principals to provide a wide range of innovative solutions to more than 62,000 customers worldwide. This global scale enables Boston to connect local industries with cutting-edge solutions and technical expertise, amplifying the impact of his leadership throughout the region.
Academic Excellence in Formative Years
Boston Moonsamy was born on 25 June 1968 in Mount Edgecombe, KwaZulu-Natal, where he was raised with the values of hard work, humility, and perseverance. He completed his early education in Verulam and matriculated from Verulam Secondary School in 1985. During those formative years, he developed a strong sense of discipline and teamwork, excelling academically and in sports. He earned provincial colors in football and was named the school’s Dux student, receiving top awards in Mathematics and Science.
He went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Durban-Westville, majoring in Chemistry and Biochemistry, followed by an Honours degree in Biochemistry. This academic journey built the foundation for his scientific mindset and analytical approach, giving him the ability to understand and solve complex problems—skills that would shape his professional path.
Boston began his career in 1990 at Caltex (later Chevron) as a Research and Development Chemist, where he gained firsthand experience in the technical and operational aspects of the lubricants industry. Over time, he combined his deep technical expertise with strategic business leadership, forming a unique ability to bridge science and commerce. This balance has guided his career, allowing him to build sustainable businesses that deliver innovation, value, and long-term growth.
Early Career and Technical Foundations
Boston Moonsamy began his professional career at Chevron Lubricants, where he gained hands-on experience in lubricant formulation, research, and supply planning. This early exposure gave him a deep understanding of operational processes, customer requirements, and the science behind product performance.
In 2005, heco-founded Umongo Petroleum, a venture aimed at connecting global innovation with the growing needs of African markets. Under his leadership, Umongo quickly earned a reputation as a trusted distributor for leading international companies such as Chevron Oronite, BASF, and Evonik.
The company’s growth accelerated when Omnia Holdings acquired a majority stake in 2017. Later, in 2022, Azelis acquired Omnia’s shares, positioning Umongo as a strategic platform for expansion across Africa and the Middle East. By 2024, Boston was appointed Managing Director of Azelis South Africa, overseeing operations in South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria.
Strong Desire to Bring the Meaningful Change
Boston Moonsamy is driven by a strong desire to make a real difference by connecting global innovation with Africa’s industrial growth. He saw the need for a business that went beyond just selling products, focusing instead on sharing knowledge, providing technical support, and offering sustainable solutions suited to local markets.
His vision led to the transformation of Umongo into Azelis South Africa, based on the belief that Africa should have access to world-class service and technology. By combining international standards with local understanding, the company delivers real value to customers in industries like lubricants, personal care, and food ingredients. With a clear focus on sustainability through bio-based products, eco-friendly solutions, and initiatives like Impact 2030, Boston ensures that growth is responsible. His commitment to innovation, ethics, and purpose continues to guide the company’s development and its contribution to a more sustainable future for Africa’s chemical industry.
Connecting Suppliers and Customers with Advanced Solutions
Azelis is guided by a clear mission to bring innovation through strong partnerships. The company links suppliers and customers with advanced solutions that make everyday life better in a responsible and sustainable way. Its core values of being innovative and resourceful, agile and empowered, collaborative and respectful and transparent and results oriented, form the foundation of everything it does.
This spirit continues to thrive within Azelis, showing a commitment to serving with purpose, building lasting relationships, and empowering people to take ownership and pride in their work. Focused on being“best in class” technically, commercially, and ethically, Azelis aims to create long-term value. From the lab to customer support to market strategy, collaboration, clear communication, and understanding customer needs remain at the heart of its success.
Global Recognition
The journey of Boston Moonsamy has been defined by key milestones that reflect his commitment to growth, innovation, and leadership in the specialty chemicals and lubricants industry:
- 2005: Founded Umongo Petroleum, establishing a strong technical and commercial foundation in the lubricants and petrochemicals sector.
- 2017: Omnia Holdings acquired Umongo, expanding its scale, resources, and operational capabilities.
- 2022: Azelis acquired Umongo, positioning it as the strategic platform for Azelis’ entry into the Sub-Saharan Africa lubricants and metalworking fluids market.
- 2024: Appointed Managing Director of Azelis South Africa, Responsibilities expanded to include leading the company’s presence in Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria.
- 2025: Honored by Globiz 50 with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Lubricants and recognized as one of the Top 50 Highflyers globally.
Each milestone reflects not just business success, but growth in people, partnerships, and purpose, shaping Boston’s leadership in specialty chemicals and sustainable innovation.
Proving Quality
When Boston Moonsamy and his team founded Umongo Petroleum, they faced the challenge of earning trust in a highly competitive and globalized market. Building supplier partnerships from the ground up while navigating complex regulatory frameworks required patience, focus, and determination. Instead of seeing these challenges as obstacles, Boston viewed them as opportunities to learn, adapt, and grow.
The team centered their efforts on transparency, consistency, and technical excellence, proving through action that they could deliver world-class quality. That experience taught Boston the lasting value of resilience and strong relationships. It also reinforced his belief that true leadership is about turning uncertainty into opportunity through vision, perseverance, and a commitment to doing things the right way.
Innovating To Improve Customer Experience And Operational Efficiency
Innovation at Azelis is deeply rooted in its culture and long-term strategy. The company works closely with global partners to bring world-class research, technical expertise, and sustainable products to local markets. Its laboratories create tailored formulations for industries such as lubricants, metalworking fluids, personal care, and food, ensuring that every solution meets specific regional needs.
Specialties Include:
- Life Sciences: Personal Care, Home Care & Industrial Cleaning, Pharma & Healthcare, Food & Nutrition, Animal Nutrition, Agricultural & Environmental Solutions, Flavors & Fragrances
- Industrial Chemicals: CASE, Electronics, Essential & Fine Chemicals, Advanced Materials & Additives, Lubricants & Metalworking Fluids, Other Applications, Textiles, Leather & Paper
Through the Impact 2030 initiative, Azelis is taking clear steps to reduce environmental impact, promote bio-based and circular economy products, and strengthen responsible sourcing. The company also continues to invest in digital transformation, using predictive analytics, smart ordering systems, and data-driven insights to improve customer experience and operational efficiency. This ongoing commitment to research, sustainability, and innovation keeps Azelis at the forefront of the specialty chemicals industry while delivering lasting value to its partners and communities.
Excellence in Technical and Commercial Services
With a strong regional presence, diverse market expertise, global integration, recognized sustainability, and a clear growth focus, Azelis continues to set the standard for excellence across industries:
- Regional Presence: Operations in South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria, backed by strong technical and commercial teams.
- Market Segments: Strong footprint in Life Sciences (pharma, food & nutrition, personal care, animal nutrition) and Industrials (lubricants, metalworking fluids, CASE, performance chemicals, advanced materials).
- Global Integration: Part of the Azelis Group, headquartered in Belgium, with operations across Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa.
- Sustainability Recognition: Holds AA MSCI rating and Sustainalytics ESG low risk rating, ranking among the top globally for sustainability.
Future Plans for North African Markets
Azelis is steadily growing its presence through smart partnerships and acquisitions. Recently, it acquired CPS Chemicals, which strengthened its position in the CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers) segment, and Umongo Petroleum, which built a strong base in the lubricants sector.
The goal is to grow responsibly through local collaborations, technical support, and carefully selected acquisitions that strengthen its life sciences and industrial businesses.
Boston Moonsamy’s Take On Evolution Of Specialty Chemicals Sector
Boston Moonsamy shares that the specialty chemicals sector is rapidly evolving toward sustainability, digitalization, and customer-focused innovation. In the coming years, demand for bio-based materials, cleaner production methods, and greater supply chain transparency will continue to grow.
Azelis aims to play a leading role in this transformation by connecting global expertise with regional needs and delivering tailored, sustainable solutions that improve efficiency and performance across industries. Boston emphasizes the company’s commitment to investing in research and development, technical training, and digital ecosystems that bring customers, suppliers, and innovation together in real time. His vision is to strengthen market presence and to shape responsible, forward-looking industry standards for the future.
Where Every Employee Feels Valued and Heard
Boston’s leadership style is centered on empowerment, collaboration, and accountability. He follows a decentralized approach, giving teams the freedom to make decisions while keeping them aligned with shared goals and values. Guided by the principles of passion, integrity, and excellence, known as the “Umongo DNA,” he has shaped a culture at Azelis where open communication, mentoring, and continuous learning are priorities.
This ensures that every employee feels valued and heard, creating an environment where innovation thrives, people take ownership, and collaboration drives results. Boston Moonsamy sees leadership as a form of service, leading by example, inspiring through action, and building an organization where individuals grow by supporting each other.
Technical Depth, Human Focus
Boston believes in staying curious, resilient, and always learning. He values a strong technical foundation, but he also emphasizes understanding the human side of business. Building genuine relationships and treating people with respect and honesty are core to his approach.
He believes integrity should guide every decision, even when no one is watching, and that challenges are opportunities to grow. For him, success comes from focusing on purpose over position and service over status. Whatever the goal, he encourages giving your best, putting heart into every effort, and recognizing that true value comes not just from what you achieve, but from who you become in the process.
Featured in Several Publications
Boston Moonsamy’s professional journey and leadership insights have been featured in several publications, including:
- Lubes and Grease – Lubzine Magazine (January 2025)
- Business Minds Media Magazine – Top 5 South Africa’s MDs Driving Business Excellence (October 2025)
These features highlight Azelis’ regional growth, sustainability strategy, and vision for driving innovation across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Boston Moonsamy’s 5 Impactful Business Mantras
- Bridge Global & Local: Deliver solutions that connect international innovation with regional needs.
- Lead with Integrity: Focus on purpose, ethics, and long-term value.
- Empower People: Foster learning, collaboration, and strong partnerships.
- Drive Innovation: Solve challenges with technical excellence and creativity.
- Grow Sustainably: Expand responsibly with environmental and social impact in mind.
