Tony O. Elumelu, C.F.R's Recent LinkedIn Posts

My Valentine now and forever ❤️ 1993 vs 2025 #MrsTOE #TOEWay

Last night in Paris, I sat with President Emmanuel Macron and fellow leaders of the Africa France Impact Coalition, and our conversation kept returning to the same truth: Africa’s greatest asset is her youth. But potential without opportunity is a promise broken. To me, joblessness is the betrayal of a generation. Africa’s young people are talented, entrepreneurial, and ambitious. What they need is access to opportunity, capital, mentorship, and markets. That is why I called for deeper collaboration, a partnership between Africa’s private sector and global leaders that meets the scale of the opportunity before us. When President Macron visited Nigeria in 2018 and addressed over 2,000 young African entrepreneurs, the impact reverberated for years. We must recreate that momentum, and go even further. On March 22, The Tony Elumelu Foundation will empower an additional 3,200 young African entrepreneurs, continuing our mission to catalyse Africa’s private sector. Since launching The Tony Elumelu Foundation in 2010, we have: • Disbursed over $100 million in seed capital to more than 24,000 entrepreneurs • Provided business training to 2.5 million young Africans through our digital platform, TEFConnect • Enabled the creation of over 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs across the continent • Helped lift over 2 million Africans out of poverty • Supported entrepreneurs who have generated over $4.2 billion in revenue • Achieved 46% women participation, reinforcing our commitment to inclusive growth And yet, we are only scratching the surface. This is why strategic partnerships between African institutions and global partners — including France — is key in accelerating entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation across Africa. Our work continues… #TOEWay #Africapitalism

Last night at the Africa Finance Corporation strategy session, I joined former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo - fellow founders to reflect on Africa Finance Corporation’s journey, its evolution, its remarkable impact so far and to further challenge the leadership and team on their role and the continent’s expectations regarding capital mobilisation and Africa’s infrastructure development. There has never been a more important time to remind ourselves that the future of our continent is in our hands and that no one but us will develop Africa. #TOEWay #Africapitalism

Another great quarter for Transcorp Group! Q3 2025 results reflect the power of focus, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership. At Heirs Holdings, profit and purpose are not mutually exclusive. Transcorp Group demonstrates that philosophy – Africapitalism in action. At Transcorp Group, we are not just building businesses; we are powering homes, creating jobs, and driving national development. From increasing power generation to redefining hospitality excellence at Transcorp Hotels Plc and the new Transcorp Centre Abuja, we are leading and delivering impact. Revenue grew by 39% year-on-year, reaching ₦413.4 billion, while Profit Before Tax rose 18% to ₦124.5 billion — a testament to the strength of our diversified model across power, hospitality, and energy. Our mission remains clear: to improve lives and transform Africa through sustainable business and long-term investment. I am proud of our exceptional team led by Owen Omogiafo OON, and grateful to our shareholders and partners for believing in the Transcorp vision. #TOEWay

One week. Six countries. Six Presidents. It was a loaded week of meetings with African Presidents to drive long term investments, infrastructure development, and youth empowerment. As I always say, no one but us will develop Africa. 🇲🇿🇿🇲🇨🇬🇰🇪🇷🇼🇨🇩 #Africapitalism #TOEWay #TOEAfricaTour

Africa's productivity story in the digital age will depend not just on algorithms or infrastructure, but on INCLUSION - Giving every young African the tools, the power, and the opportunity to create prosperity. Technology must serve humanity, not replace it. #TOEWay #Africapitalism #DigitalInclusion

We are only a few days into 2026. Early in the year, gyms are full — by the end of January, far fewer remain. It’s a familiar pattern: enthusiasm is common; discipline and consistency are rare (and yes, I’m guilty too). I see the same pattern in business. The year begins with bold plans and ambitious targets, but markets do not reward intention — they reward performance. Execution starts with clear goals and strong prioritisation. Don’t try to do everything at once. Pace matters. At Heirs Holdings, my message to our team is simple: execute our plans consistently and with discipline, one step at a time. My charge for the year: Those who remain focused long after the early excitement fades are the ones who create lasting value. #Africapitalism #TOEWay

Africa is not just a continent of potential; Africa is a continent of urgency. The time for talk is over; this is the moment for action. At the African Association of Accountant Generals’ Annual Conference in Ghana, I spoke not just as an entrepreneur, but as a firm believer in Africa’s potential shaped by Africapitalism: my conviction that the private sector, forging a strong collaboration with the public sector, must play a key role in Africa’s transformation. Africa faces a $100 billion annual infrastructure gap, yet we are a continent awash with capital — over $4 trillion in pension and sovereign funds, and diaspora remittances exceeding $100 billion. Our problem is not money, it is trust. Trust built through predictability, transparency, and partnership. The Accountants General present - Africa’s financial stewards - hold the key to unlocking investment and building the foundations for prosperity. If the government delivers that predictability, infrastructure, and support for long-term investment, Africa will be transformed. My journey at UBA Group and Transcorp Group proves it: when you believe in Africa and invest for the long term, you change millions of lives. That is Africapitalism in practice. UBA Group went from a national bank to a global bank, serving over 50 million customers across Africa, Europe, America, and the Gulf, creating over 40,000 jobs directly – many more through the catalytic impact of mass financial services inclusion. At Transcorp Group, we invested in the power generation sector when others said it was too risky. Today, we produce 15% of Nigeria’s power. Through the The Tony Elumelu Foundation we have backed 24,000 young entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries, with more than $100 million in non-refundable seed capital. 330 of them are from Ghana, where I was speaking. They have collectively created over 1.5 million jobs and generated over $4.2 billion in revenue. Africapitalism is the private sector taking responsibility for Africa’s development. Not an Africa built by charity, but a continent built by its own ideas, its own entrepreneurs, and its own systems. But none of this happens without the government as an effective partner. The Africa of tomorrow will be built by partnerships, state and private sectors, Africans and global investors — with trust as foundation, transparency as nonnegotiable, and equity and shared prosperity as our goal. Let’s build Africa’s future together. #TOEWay #Africapitalism

LEADERSHIP – THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, we held our first executive knowledge-sharing session for 2026. A time to reflect and rethink how we lead. The world around us is constantly shifting, creating opportunities and threats. Leadership cannot be passive, cannot be complacent. Neither arrogant nor distant. Leadership is often about simplicity - the clarity of an objective, discipline of execution, and courage to lead with authenticity. I shared my experience on the power of relationships between leaders and teams. As a leader, investing in those relationships, going beyond command and control, channelling empathy, an ability to look up and look down will significantly improve your success. Early in my career, I worked under a boss whose influence still shapes how I lead today. He was intentional about building connections with team members. His approach helped me become deliberate about not disappointing him, not out of fear, but out of respect for the relationship we built. He trusted me – I wanted to repay that trust. He invested in me, challenged me, and pushed me beyond what I thought I was ready for. And sometimes, that push came in very unexpected ways. I recalled occasions he took me out to eat. Not the eating you’re comfortable with, the kind that tests you. One day, it was at a Japanese restaurant in London, and it was chopsticks. I would sit there, struggling quietly, while plotting my escape. I would pretend I was full, leave the restaurant, and then go and find food elsewhere. But those moments mattered. It wasn’t about food. It was about the connection, exposure, and learning beyond the office. Those experiences stuck with me, and I am intentional about connecting with my team and exposing them beyond our workplaces. As leaders, we must know that an enabling environment matters more than just authority. A leader removes obstacles for others. We have to remove hurdles to enable our people deliver. Leaders don’t just commit to tasks; they commit to people. As we begin the year, let us reflect on our approach. - Leadership is not about hierarchy; it is about engagement. - Make yourself accessible, build real relationships and meaningful connections with your team. - Remain open to doing things differently. We cannot do things the same way and expect different results. - Create an enabling environment and allow people to take ownership of their work. - Clear obstacles. Uproot roadblocks. If we continue to lead with conviction, build trust, remove roadblocks and execute without excuses, the results will follow, not by chance, but by design. #TOEWay

Why Strong Nigeria–U.S. Relations Matter The relationship between Nigeria and the United States has long been defined by friendship, shared values, economic ties, and deep connections. As an entrepreneur, my role models have been those business titans who shaped modern America. Their philanthropic model drives my own philanthropic philosophy. I studied in the U.S.; my family are doing the same. I chair the only African bank, UBA Group, licensed to do business in America. UBA employs Americans and leads in catalysing business relationships between Africa and the US. Our relationship has also been strategic: Nigeria is the largest democracy in Africa, a bulwark of civil society values in an increasingly volatile region. The U.S. has been a major importer of Nigerian crude. Nigeria is a significant market for American wheat and rice. The Nigerian diaspora in the US is one of the most economically successful. Nigerian Americans are among the most educated groups in the U.S.: over 60% aged 25 or older hold a bachelor’s degree, and 17% a master’s. More than half work in management, business, science, or the arts. Today, our relationship stands at an important crossroads. Recent developments, including heightened U.S. attention to Nigeria’s security challenges and the designation of Nigeria as a country of concern, have brought global focus. It is a time for dialogue, clarity and emphasis on the mutually beneficial aspects of this relationship. This context informed my hosting a bipartisan delegation of six U.S. Congressional leaders at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja yesterday. The evening was marked by candid interactions, honest conversations, and a shared enthusiasm for a partnership that confronts our challenges. I was frank about the importance of Africa to the US – and to the world. Africa is rich in minerals. We see global powers jostling for position. Africa will not repeat its errors of the past and Africans must control our destiny. On a demographic basis alone, our success is a global responsibility. The triple threat of unemployment, insecurity and extremism is fueled by poverty and a lack of economic opportunity. Nigeria’s challenges are real. Security concerns affect lives, livelihoods, and investor confidence. But Nigeria is also a country of resilience, reform, and immense opportunity. These truths must coexist in policy conversations. Such visits matter. The visiting bipartisan U.S. Congressional delegation are committed to strengthening bilateral engagement between our two countries. They have shared optimism at the commitments made so far and look forward to the corresponding actions to be taken. Read the full piece on my blog 👇🏾 https://lnkd.in/eRxd7tUi

My Keynote Remarks at the GROW NIGERIA CONFERENCE 2.0 – Empowering Nigeria’s Entrepreneurs: Building Institutions That Last Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Leaders of government, of business, young entrepreneurs gathered here, all who are responsible for tomorrow’s possibilities — good morning. It is an honour to be here. Let me be blunt: The future of Nigeria is not going to be written in some far-off boardroom. It is being shaped, right now, by you, by us, by every passionate entrepreneur who refuses to settle for average, who beats the odds and dares to dream big in this great country. Nigeria is Entrepreneurial — But We Must Build to Last Too many of our businesses never get past the struggle. Too many great ideas fail because the system, the support, the ecosystem, wasn’t there for them. This must change. Starting businesses is good. But, sustaining them? This is critical. And that’s how we transform this economy. I started out just like many of you — restless, ambitious, ready to prove myself. But experience taught me: success isn’t about today. It’s about what remains when you’re gone. If you are chasing profit and nothing else, your journey will be short. If you’re driven by purpose and a vision to make lives better, your legacy will endure. Private Sector: The Engine of Nigeria’s Renewal Here’s the bottom line: Nigeria will not be built by government handouts or foreign aid. Government’s role is critical, but Nigeria will be built by entrepreneurs — by you, building businesses that create jobs, hope, and prosperity from the ground up. But you cannot do it alone. You need frameworks — clear governance, succession planning, and relentless focus on value. This is why at The Tony Elumelu Foundation, we give each beneficiary a non-refundable seed capital of USD5,000.00. But to us, our greatest catalytic impact is the 12-week business education class we organise for young African entrepreneurs. We do this to enlarge our private sector. Because we believe that the private sector is the engine of Nigeria’s renewal. That’s Africapitalism that drives us at Heirs Holdings — using business to build Africa, to build Nigeria, to do well and do good at the same time. We Need the Right Environment We need a Nigeria where: Policies are predictable (investors love predictability—let’s give it to them). Infrastructure works. Financing is truly accessible. Our best brains aren’t stuck solving the same old problems— or leaving the country We know this can be done – we have done it! At the The Tony Elumelu Foundation, we put our money where our mouth is. Over 24,000 young Africans — 9,229 from Nigeria — have received capital, mentorship, training, not just to start up, but to scale up. Read the full speech on my blog 👇🏾: https://lnkd.in/djmw_3Hj #TOEWay #Africapitalism

Building Economies, Investing in Society, Transforming a Continent: My Message at the Abuja Business & Investment Summit 2025 My speech in Abuja, the heart of Nigeria, our nation’s window to the world, spoke of how far we have come and how much further we must go. There is so much to be optimistic about – but my optimism requires public and private sectors to unite, for good. I delivered the keynote remarks at the Abuja Business & Investment Summit & Expo 2025, which brought together policymakers, business leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs to catalyse ways we can shape a more prosperous Africa. My message was simple: Sustainable change begins when the public and private sectors come together, not as adversaries, but as partners in progress. *Private Sector: The Engine of Africa’s Transformation* Africa is at a pivotal moment. We are the world’s youngest continent, rich in natural resources, creativity, and entrepreneurial energy. Yet we continue to face challenges, youth unemployment, infrastructure deficits, limited access to finance, and the devastating effects of climate change. We need to seize the chance to build a new African economy, driven not by aid, but by private sector leadership. Across the continent, businesses are already reimagining what is possible, from fintech innovators in Lagos to agribusiness entrepreneurs in Kigali. At Heirs Holdings Group, this belief shapes everything we do. We call it Africapitalism; the conviction that Africa’s private sector must lead in transforming our continent, by investing long-term in critical sectors that create both economic and social wealth. True business leadership is not just about profit; it is about progress. A broader commitment to our society and our continent. *Our Investments in Abuja: Vision Delivered* Heirs Holdings' investments in Abuja reflect this philosophy in action. We have executed and delivered. Through Transcorp Group we transformed the Transcorp Hilton Abuja from an aging landmark into one of Africa’s leading hotels, a world-class symbol of African excellence. This year, we deepened that commitment with the launch of the Transcorp event Centre a 5,000-capacity, ultramodern facility positioning Abuja as a true business and tourism hub for Africa. Through our investment in the Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc, we are strengthening the value chain delivery with our power distribution company. We are providing access to power because reliable electricity drives productivity, powers hospitals and schools, and fuels business growth. Across our Group, we collectively employ over 7,000 Nigerians in the Federal Capital Territory. For us, every job created represents dignity restored and potential unlocked. Read the full piece on my blog👇🏽 https://lnkd.in/d46wMVHM #TOEWay

MY ANNUAL LETTER A Story of Hope – 3200 Opportunities for African Entrepreneurs Today, I turn a year older. And each year on this day, I find myself reflecting on something far greater than myself. For a long time, I believed luck was something that simply happened to you. Then I came to understand: luck can be engineered. Opportunity can be democratised. Hope is not just a feeling — it is a system we can build. Our story of hope began in 2010, when my wife and I made a commitment to empower young African entrepreneurs through The Tony Elumelu Foundation. In a world filled with uncertainty, we made a deliberate choice — year after year — to plant certainty in the lives of young African entrepreneurs. Africa’s greatest resource has never been oil or gold. It has always been its people. Our belief was simple: entrepreneurship—and the ingenuity of young Africans—would become a driving force for the continent’s economic transformation. We saw firsthand how entrepreneurs were creating value within their communities, and we asked a simple question: what if we could multiply this impact across Africa? Today, we have our answer. Through The Tony Elumelu Foundation , we have witnessed that when young Africans are empowered, they create jobs, build sustainable businesses, drive innovation, and catalyse prosperity across the continent. Our initial goal was to identify, train, mentor, and fund 10,000 African entrepreneurs with $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital. 16 years later, I am humbled that we have nearly tripled that ambition. To date, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme has disbursed over $100 million in seed capital to more than 24,000 entrepreneurs across Africa. 80% of the entrepreneurs supported through our programmes have scaled beyond their early stages, a dramatic shift from the years when typically only 10–20% of businesses survived long enough to grow. This means, 4 out of 5 businesses under the entrepreneurship programme succeed compared to 1 out of 5 globally. The impact has been profound: • Over 4 million African households positively impacted • 2.1 million Africans lifted out of poverty • $4.2 billion in revenue generated by Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs • 1.5 million jobs created • Over 2.5 million Africans have been granted access to trainings This is Africapitalism in action, the belief that Africa’s private sector, especially its entrepreneurs, must drive the continent’s economic and social transformation. Beyond these numbers, TEF has helped redefine Africa’s development narrative—from aid dependency to partnership. This framework is now studied and discussed by leading global institutions, governments, and think tanks. Today, March 22, we announced the 12th cohort of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme at Transcorp Hilton Abuja. Read the full piece on my blog👇🏾: https://lnkd.in/dqc-wFqv

There are people who walk into your life and quietly become part of its foundation. My Father-in-law, Chief Israel C. Ogbue was one of those people for me and his passing leaves a space that cannot be filled. In January 2005, I led the merger between Standard Trust Bank and UBA Group — still recognised as the most transformative banking merger in Sub-Saharan Africa. As GMD/CEO of the newly combined institution, I carried the weight of a singular mandate to transform a single-country bank into a pan-African powerhouse. The journey demanded the right people. Chief joined the UBA Board as a Non-Executive Director in that same year, bringing with him decades of senior leadership at the National Insurance Corporation of Nigeria, NAL Merchant Bank, and a reputation for integrity that preceded him. His peers recognised quickly what those of us close to him had long felt, that he possessed something rare; a combination of wisdom, steadiness, and principle that made everyone around him want to be better. UBA Board appointed him Chairman in 2011. He served until 2013, and in that time, he reinforced UBA’s Governance. The culture of accountability and long-term thinking he reinforced continues to live inside UBA Group today. But his professional titles capture only a little of who he truly was. A man of deep and unshakeable faith. A strong christian, devoted husband, father, and patriarch whose family was, without question, his greatest pride. It is with a grief that words struggle to hold that my wife Dr. Awele Elumelu, O.F.R and I share that Chief passed peacefully on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. On his 99th birthday. A life that long, and that beautifully lived, is its own kind of monument. The kind that doesn't crumble. Rest well, Chief O as I fondly called him. We will miss you dearly. #TOEWay

I often say that joblessness is a betrayal of our young Africans. The world has identified Africa’s potential, but potential without opportunity becomes a hope deferred. True change happens when we empower those who will build the future: our young men and women. This is why, in 2010, my wife Dr. Awele Elumelu, O.F.R, and I founded The Tony Elumelu Foundation, rooted in the belief that entrepreneurs are the catalysts for Africa’s transformation. What began as a bold idea has grown into a movement that stretches across all 54 African countries, shaping the dreams and destinies of a generation. Our mission is simple but powerful: to empower, uplift and inspire the next generation of African leaders through entrepreneurship. Since launching the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme in 2015, we have already gone far beyond our original commitment of empowering 10,000 entrepreneurs. Today, more than 24,000 young African entrepreneurs have been identified, trained, mentored and funded with non-refundable seed capital to start and scale their businesses, each receiving USD 5,000 to turn ideas into impact. So far, The Tony Elumelu Foundation has built the largest digital entrepreneurship ecosystem on the continent, with over 2.5 million entrepreneurs accessing world-class business training, mentorship and networks, giving young people the tools they need not just to start, but to scale and succeed. This is Africapitalism in action: the private sector taking responsibility for Africa’s development, using business to create both economic growth and social impact. When we invest in entrepreneurs, we are investing in solutions, dignity, jobs, communities and sustainable prosperity. Applications are ongoing at tefconnect.net from now till March 1 #TOEWay #Africapitalism #TEF2026

It was a privilege to meet with His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in my capacity as a member of the Presidential Economic Council. We had a productive discussion on key economic priorities, shared feedback,and exchanged ideas constructively. I was especially encouraged by Mr. President’s commitment to support young entreprenueurs, strengthening SMEs and accelerating progress in the power sector. As I often say, reliable electricity is critical to the growth and development of our economy. #TOEWay #Africapitalism

CELEBRATING THE WOMEN WHO INSPIRE AND SHAPE OUR FUTURE   Today, I celebrate the women who inspire and shape my life every single day—my dear mother, whose strength and wisdom laid the foundation for who I am; my loving wife and partner in legacy, whose support and vision continue to guide our journey; my wonderful daughters, who represent the promise of a brighter future; and the remarkable women across the Heirs Holdings Group whose dedication, professionalism, and leadership drive our shared mission to create lasting impact.   Across our businesses and initiatives, I see firsthand the immense value that women bring to leadership, innovation, and community development. Their resilience, insight, and commitment are essential to building strong institutions and transforming societies.   Through The Tony Elumelu Foundation, we have witnessed a powerful truth: when we empower women, we empower far more than individuals—we uplift families, strengthen communities, and accelerate the development of nations. Women entrepreneurs across Africa continue to demonstrate extraordinary potential, and when given access to opportunity, resources, and support, they create impact that extends far beyond themselves.   The transformation of our continent cannot be achieved without women at the centre of it. They are not only contributors to progress—they are the backbone of our society and the driving force behind sustainable development.   Today, and every day, we reaffirm our commitment to championing gender equality, supporting women’s leadership, and ensuring that women have the opportunities they deserve to thrive and lead.   Happy International Women’s Day to all the incredible women who continue to inspire change and shape the future.   #TOEWay #IWD2026

THE MYTH OF FAILURE Failure isn’t always the result of a wrong decision or a corporate misstep — sometimes, it’s the decisions we never make. During the recent Heirs Holdings induction, my interactive session with our 176 new hires took me down memory lane. I shared some of the lessons that have shaped my journey as a leader, entrepreneur, and family man. Each time I sit with our new colleagues, I’m reminded of why we do what we do. Their curiosity, passion, and drive reaffirm my confidence in our mission to improve lives and transform Africa. And yes — it was great seeing Odumodu Blvck move like me. #TOEWay

Heirs Energies Agrees $750 Million African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Financing: A Validation of African Enterprise Over the weekend, Heirs Energies sealed a $750 million financing agreement with Afreximbank, refinancing existing borrowing and accelerating business expansion. The deal was more important than just the money. It was a vindication of our bold acquisition back in 2021. It was a tribute to how far Heirs Energies and their superb management team have come. A truly indigenous business – but also a world-class player, respected internationally. Africa’s largest integrated energy business. And it proved, something even more impactful – African capital backing African business. Afreximbank exemplifies the long-term, patient, strategic capital that is transforming Africa. I have always believed that transformation is not accidental. It follows conviction, discipline, and the courage to act when others hesitate. When I took over a distressed bank decades ago, many doubted that it could be saved. Yet, with the right leadership, governance, and focus, it was transformed and, what is now UBA Group, operates across 24 countries and four continents. That same philosophy guided our investments beyond banking. In hospitality, Transcorp was to be avoided. Today, Transcorp Hilton Abuja stands not just as Nigeria’s flagship hotel, but as a symbol of what professional management and long-term capital can achieve. In the power sector, we applied the same discipline, investing, rehabilitating assets, expanding capacity, and operating with integrity; despite sector-wide challenges, including liquidity constraints and outstanding receivables of over N600 billion owed by the Nigerian government. And now, in energy, we are replicating that impact. Our journey in oil and gas and now integrated energy cannot be told without acknowledging Afreximbank’s catalytic role. When we first pursued the acquisition of assets from Shell, Afreximbank stepped forward with a $600 million letter of commitment. That demonstration of confidence made it possible for us to raise over $2.5 billion globally and close one of the most complex energy transactions in Nigeria. The journey was far from smooth. Regulatory delays, policy uncertainty, and the eventual restructuring of the transaction imposed enormous financial and operational costs. Yet we persevered. What sustained us was a simple belief: Africa must develop Africa, and African businesses must be built to global standards. Today, Heirs Energies is a credible, globally admired energy company. The $750 million Afreximbank financing is a public endorsement of that journey. Why We Have Succeeded Our progress across banking, power, hospitality, and energy rests on three fundamentals. Read the full piece on my blog 👉🏽 https://lnkd.in/e9vN7rT3 #TOEWay #Africapitalism

Good to speak at CNN’s Global Perspectives on Africa in London with my good friend Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild and moderator Eleni Giokos. Great that CNN chose Africa for their first Global Perspectives – there is no greater global priority. It was good to see my friends Richard Quest, Ozwald Boateng, Masai Ujiri, Zain Asher, and Phil Nielson, etc. Africa’s voices need to be heard. African success needs to be championed. African challenges faced. Our young, the largest cohort in the world. Primed for success, talented and ambitious. A global force for good. But we need to channel that ambition. Africapitalism and Inclusive Capitalism call for deliberate value creation, local production, and sustainable development that drives shared prosperity. Africa must move from extraction to creation, from consumption to production, from dependence to dignity. I share a deep conviction that profit and purpose are not rivals; they are partners for Africa’s renaissance. At The Tony Elumelu Foundation, we have catalysed over 24,000 young African entrepreneurs across all 54 countries, because we believe the private sector's greatest investment is in its people. Africa must align with partnerships that truly serve our continent's long-term interests: job creation, youth empowerment, and inclusive growth. We need partnerships that build local capacity, process our own resources at home, and create opportunities for all. As I looked around the room at the young people to whom the future belongs to, including my dear daughter Oge Elumelu, I feel the urgency of our mission: to catalyse economic prosperity for all on the continent. #TOEWay #Africapitalism #InclusiveCapitalism #CNNGlobalPerspective

Earlier today at the Board of Changemakers: “Financial Markets” plenary at FII Institute Riyadh, I discussed Africa’s readiness for AI adoption and ways it will transform financial markets. It was an engaging session discussing this with fellow panellists Tareq A. Al-Sadhan, Jane Fraser, Jenny Johnson, Kanetsugu Mike, Ronald O'Hanley, Makoto Takashima, Tan Su Shan, Sim Tshabalala, CS Venkatakrishnan, and Bill Winters. To some, it is about AI adoption; to others, it is about AI accessibility. We must, as a global community, play our role in ensuring AI access and equity, to catalyse development. I encouraged my fellow board of changemakers to take decisive action: to catalyse AI accessibility within their respective capital allocation and investment boardrooms to unlock global capital access for the African continent. We must democratise access to AI to ensure that no one is left behind. This is how we will co-create shared global prosperity. #TOEWay #AIAccessibility #Africapitalism

We are pleased to announce that Heirs Energies has secured a $750 million financing with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). The agreement was signed at a ceremony in Abuja on Saturday, 20 December 2025, with our Chairman, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, C.F.R, and Dr. George Elombi, President and Chairman of Afreximbank. This landmark deal is one of the largest financings ever secured by an indigenous African energy company and reflects strong confidence in Heirs Energies’ performance, governance, brownfield expertise, and long-term growth plans. Read the full release here: https://lnkd.in/gYPN7jak #HeirsEnergies

Another important milestone. RedPaybyRedtech is launching – a Heirs Holdings Group product, delivered by our tech champions Redtech. Africa needs the financial infrastructure to succeed. Whether trade finance and global banking via UBA Group or everyday insurance through Heirs Insurance Group. Fundamental is the payments infrastructure that our entrepreneurs and every business deserves — a unified payments platform that is faster, safer, and smarter, with centralised reporting and intelligent analytics that deliver complete visibility and control. From the smallest merchant to the largest enterprise, we are building the digital backbone that turns entrepreneurial ambition into sustainable growth. RedPay is the solution. At The Tony Elumelu Foundation, we have empowered over 24,000 African entrepreneurs with capital, mentorship, and networks. Empowerment is incomplete without infrastructure. You cannot build business on a foundation of fragmented systems and unreliable payment solutions. Congratulations to Emmanuel Ojo, and the entire Redtech team. Your innovation and execution demonstrate what is possible when we invest in solutions for Africa’s challenges. I am proud of what you have built, and even prouder of the transformation it will enable across our continent. Africapitalism has always been about doing well by doing good—building profitable, sustainable businesses that create prosperity for all. At Vivatech in Paris in 2023 we discussed Tech 4 Good – I wanted Tech 4 All – Redpay is that – African designed, for African realities, for all! We seed entrepreneurs. We build infrastructure. We create the ecosystem where Africa's enterprises can flourish. #TOEWay #Africapitalism #MoveToRedPay

Africa is no longer a continent to be observed from afar, nor merely a place to be assisted; it is fertile ground for those with the vision and commitment to invest, build, and generate lasting value. I shared my thoughts on this with Paolo Alfieri of Avvenire. Read the full interview here👇🏾 #TOEWay #Africapitalism

Today, I spoke to global leaders at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) 49th Governing Council in Rome, alongside President Dr. Alvaro Lario, moderator melissa bell and inspiring young agripreneurs. Africa is the youngest continent in the world: 60 per cent of our population is under the age of 25. By 2030, 440 million young Africans will enter the labour market.   At the same time, 55 per cent of Africans live in rural areas. This means agriculture is not just a livelihood — it is a strategic resource that feeds our towns and cities, powers rural economies, and sustains communities. We cannot grow Africa without power, and we cannot grow Africa without food.   When we invest in young entrepreneurs, we do not just support individuals — we strengthen communities, reduce poverty, create jobs, and enable rural economies to grow from within.   Youth migration is often a symptom of economic exclusion. That is why, at The Tony Elumelu Foundation, 21 per cent of the 24,000 entrepreneurs we have empowered operate in agriculture and agribusiness. Together, these entrepreneurs have created over 400,000 direct and indirect jobs, strengthening food systems, value chains and rural livelihoods — clear proof of the potential of agriculture to uplift communities across Africa. Young Africans are not waiting for handouts. They are building Africa’s future. #TOEWay #Africapitalism #IFADGoverningCouncil