Denis Opudo
Tony O. Elumelu, the Chair of United Bank for Africa (UBA) and chairman of Heirs Holdings Ltd is the Co-Chair of Aspen Institute’s Global Food Security Working Group. Mr. Elumelu serves different capacities both in Africa and outside. He is a member of the Global Advisory Council and the World Economic Forum Community of Chairmen.
He launched the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) to support entrepreneurship ecosystem in Africa. The foundation so far supports more than 3,000 entrepreneurs. The initiative helps these business players to achieve their desired goals. These private firms generate employment to other Africans thus building the continent economy.
The foundation mentioned 10 years 2018 cohort in early March this year. The March announcement declared $100 million TET entrepreneurship support initiative. The event also selected more than one thousand most innovative entrepreneurs in Africa. The foundation gains support from the International Red Cross and among others.
The Chair of United Bank for Africa has visited many countries worldwide. Mr. Elumelu’s main goal is to encourage entrepreneurship development in the continent. He also provides advisory services to governments about the public-private partnership.
This month, he will pay a visit to East Africa countries for 5 days. During the tour, he will organize meetings with the President of Uganda and Kenya. He met His Excellency, Yoweri K. Museveni on 10th April and Uhuru Kenyatta on 12th April. The topics discussed comprised of economic growth, regional economic growth, and entrepreneurship. Other issues entailed infrastructure financing and the roles of private sectors.
The TEF foundation conducted regional entrepreneurship ecosystem events during the same time. The event’s participants included local entrepreneurs and academia from Kenya and Uganda. The facilitators were Google representatives, TEF leaders, and Microsoft. The guest speakers provided practical insight into business development and management. Mr. Elumelu also conducted a forum with the University students. The institutions were the University of Nairobi, Makerere University, and Kampala University. During the forum, he gave his own insight into entrepreneurship values and development.
