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  • UNGA79: Elumelu advocates for youth empowerment, entrepreneurial growth in Africa

    UNGA79: Elumelu advocates for youth empowerment, entrepreneurial growth in Africa

    At the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) in New York, Dr. Tony Onyemachi Elumelu, a renowned banker, philanthropist, and founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), championed the urgent need for global leaders to support youth inclusion and empowerment in Africa.

    His mission is to ensure that emerging entrepreneurs receive the mentorship and seed funding necessary to drive sustainable growth on the continent.

    Elumelu’s work through the TEF has significantly impacted African entrepreneurship. 

    Over the years, the foundation has provided mentorship and financial support to numerous entrepreneurs, emphasising the importance of establishing a robust wealth creation process for future generations.

    Reflecting on his journey from humble beginnings, he remarked, “The rigorous process that led to my breakthrough as an entrepreneur is not what I want the coming generation to face.”

    This personal experience fuels his commitment to easing the path for young entrepreneurs through mentorship and initial capital, offering $5,000 to help them launch their ventures.

    The foundation has disbursed an impressive $100 million to entrepreneurs across Africa, enabling them to thrive in their respective industries.

    During his address at UNGA79, Elumelu urged world leaders to recognize the immense potential of African youth.

    He stressed the necessity for systemic changes that empower this demographic to develop disruptive ideas and solutions to pressing challenges.

    “We must place priority on human capital development, entrepreneurial skill survival, funding, and mentorship to tackle unemployment in Africa,” he stated.

    His remarks resonated during a joint discussion at the World Food Programme, led by Cindy McCain, where he emphasized the need for comprehensive solutions to combat unemployment and the hunger crisis.

    Elumelu pointed out that more than 783 million people are grappling with acute hunger, largely due to an underutilised agricultural sector.

    “If we properly address these issues, agriculture and livestock farming can play a pivotal role in job creation,” he explained.

    He highlighted how many young people are turning to greenhouse farming, which is revolutionizing agriculture on the continent.

    Elumelu urged increased collaboration and funding for agricultural initiatives, asserting that such efforts could create wealth and enhance the farm supply chain.

    In his discussions with Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Elumelu reinforced the importance of international partnerships.

    The European Union’s ongoing collaboration with TEF aims to empower 2,500 young women entrepreneurs in Africa, with plans to support an additional 1,800 by year’s end.

    Elumelu noted that some beneficiaries have received up to €50,000 through the Women Entrepreneur for Africa (WE4A) program, emphasizing the initiative’s role in transforming women into nation-builders and wealth creators.

    Continuing his advocacy, Elumelu engaged with leaders such as H.E. Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, and H.E. Brice Oligui Nguema, President of Gabon, urging them to formulate favorable policies for youth entrepreneurship. 

    He also met with H.E. William Ruto, President of Kenya, to discuss strategies for enhancing employment opportunities through entrepreneurship.

    Elumelu reaffirmed his dedication to empowering Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs, highlighting the potential of a well-supported youth demographic to drive economic transformation.

    “When our youth are empowered, we can expect a reduction in crime, increased opportunities, and healthy competition with their Western counterparts,” he asserted.

    His vision is clear: to transition Africa from a continent of dependency to self-reliance, driven by innovative, forward-thinking youth.

    As the UNGA79 concluded, Elumelu’s unwavering commitment to advocating for African youth set a hopeful tone for the future, reinforcing the need for global support and partnerships to nurture the continent’s entrepreneurial spirit amidst ongoing challenges.

    Oladapo Sofowora writes from New York.

  • Elumelu sets Africa’s priorities for UNGA 2024

    Elumelu sets Africa’s priorities for UNGA 2024

    As the high-level debates at this year’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) begins tomorrow, African philanthropist and business leader, Mr. Tony Elumelu has outlined key areas of focus that will shape Africa’s discussions at the meetings.

    Elumelu, Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), will make Africa’s transformative economic growth, youth employment, and energy transition central to the discussions at the UNGA 2024.

    Elumelu will call for urgent action in a series of engagements, including a roundtable discussion at the Clinton Global Initiative with former President of the United States, Bill Clinton, and at an event co-hosted by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), led by WFP Executive Director, Cindy McCain.

    He is expected to bring his perspective both from extensive experience in building industry-leading businesses across the continent, and the success of the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s catalytic programmes empowering young Africans.

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    Elumelu is regarded as a realist, challenging Africa and Africans to solve their problems, bringing African solutions, but also recogniswing Africa’s responsibility to act.

    As Chairman of UBA Group and pan-African investment company, Heirs Holdings, as well as Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Elumelu is a leading driver of Africa’s transformation agenda, helping shape the continent’s narrative on the global stage.

    His thought leadership and advocacy challenge conventional views, offering innovative strategies for collaboration and growth. The success of his foundation in promoting youth entrepreneurship as a pathway out of poverty, has featured in case studies from Harvard, Chicago Business School, Stanford and Cambridge.

    With over 60 per cent of Africans lacking access to electricity and young people making up more than 60 per cent of the continent’s 1.3 billion population, Africa faces challenges that impact the world. Africa, most recently with tragic floods in West Africa, is suffering climate driven environmental crises, caused by global emissions, whilst Africa’s development is held back by huge infrastructure deficits.

    In a recent statement, Elumelu emphasised, “I have often said that there is nowhere else in the world you can reap the kind of investments as in Africa. However, I am acutely aware of the fundamental challenges our continent faces.

    Addressing the issues of sustainable economic growth, youth unemployment, genda inequality, and Africa’s energy transition is critical not only for meeting the continent’s basic developmental needs, but also for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and unlocking the immense economic potential that Africa offers.”

    An economist and visionary entrepreneur, Elumelu’s economic philosophy of Africapitalism, serves as a blueprint for accelerating Africa’s economic transformation, advocating for the private sector to take the lead in delivering social and economic wealth, and shared prosperity for all.

    Alongside Elumelu’s advocacy, UBA will host a networking gala on the sidelines of UNGA – a platform to spotlight investment opportunities on the continent. The Gala will convene prominent leaders across four continents, in commemoration of UBA Group’s 75th anniversary and the Group’s 40 years of operations in the United States.

  • Atiku, Elumelu, Ooni, Otedola, others celebrate Prince Omoha at 29

    Atiku, Elumelu, Ooni, Otedola, others celebrate Prince Omoha at 29

    Prominent Nigerians including former Vice President Atiku Abubaka, Tony Elumelu, Ooni of Ife, Femi Otedola and others have identified with entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist,,  Prince Omoha , who turns 29 today by sending him warm birthday wishes and prayers.

    The notable leaders and business moguls shared joy with the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Prince Luxury Group, who has distinguished himself in the fields of business, leadership, entrepreneurship and philanthropy at 29.

    They rejoiced with the entrepreneur who was ranked amongst African Young and most influential personalities in 2021 by Africa Value Award (AVA) 

    Vice President Atiku, in his message affirmed admiration for the celebrant for the  pride he  has brought to Nigeria and Africa, with his achievements, lighting the way for many others to follow.  

    Atiku eulogised his combination of youthfulness, business style and broadness in networking, both old and young, and the passion with which he  pursues his dreams. 

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    Prince Omoha was born on September 3 1995 in the city of Abakaliki. Within this length of time, Omoha has managed to give breath to his origin.

    To the business community, Prince Omoha is a champion of long-term investments. Alongside a markedly instinctive grasp of the trends of fortune and providence, Omoha’s mainstream business polishing is such that he never falls short of the mark, as evidenced by his upcoming strings of successes.

    Omoha has won multiple awards and accolades. In 2021 the Guardian Newspaper Named Prince Omoha among The 50 Most Impactful and Award-winning CEOs that Contributed to Nigeria’s GDP Growth in 2021. 

    In 2022, the VANGUARD NEWSPAPER SPECIAL REPORT listed Prince Omoha as One of the 50 Chief Executive Officers of Distinction in Nigeria

  • Elumelu: Tenure limit for bank CEOs inspired Heirs Holdings formation

    Elumelu: Tenure limit for bank CEOs inspired Heirs Holdings formation

    The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) policy limiting tenure of banks’ chief executive officers to 10 years inspired the formation and take-off Heirs Holdings Group, its Chairman, Tony Elumelu has said.

    The CBN 2010 guidelines for banking sector operations had set a maximum tenure limit of 10 years for banks’ chief executive officers (CEOs), making Elumelu, then CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA) to exit his position and appoint a new CEO for the bank.

    Speaking yesterday at the Heirs Holdings Group 14th year anniversary in Lagos, Elumelu disclosed that instead of lamenting over the policy change, it inspired him to think bigger and fully utilise the opportunity it presented. The Heirs Holdings conglomerates investment portfolio spans the power, energy, financial services, hospitality, real estate, healthcare and technology sectors, operating in 24 countries worldwide.

     “14 years ago, we woke up to regulatory policy that CEOs of banks who had done 10 years and above should go. What I teach young entrepreneurs, my children and those I am opportune to mentor is that when things seem bad, they should not give up, but persevere, be resolute and turn their fears to courage. For us, if we were looking at the other side of the glass that contained fear, anger, we won’t be here today.

    This is my gift for you in our 14th anniversary. Do not give up,” Elumelu said.

    He said that the African private sector can change the course of African development, adding that by doing good and doing well, the company has made significant impact across the African continent.

     “And this impact is what I call digit impact. We are indeed leading to last, redefining success in every sector we operate in, and demonstrating our determination to improve lives and transform Africa. To date, the Heirs Holdings Group, employs over 40,000 young Africans spread across 20 African countries, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, France and the United States of America,” he said.

    Read Also: Heirs Holdings concludes directors’ annual summit in Abuja

     “Our philanthropy, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, has impacted 1.5 million young Africans and disbursed $100 million in seed capital, non-refundable seed capital to 20,000 young African entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries and their businesses have created over 400,000 jobs across Africa,” he added.

    Elumelu also talked about the possibility of listing some of the group’s businesses in offshore in the stock exchanges, when the time is right. He said the group would like to democratize prosperity by listing those companies, but the group will need to make sure that the micro investment climate is right for that.

    He said that in markets where the companies within the group had listed, people have benefited immensely and that practice will continue whenever the investment climate is right for it.

    Wife of the Heirs Holdings Group founder, Dr. Awele Elumelu, lauded the commitment of the group leaders who recognise the challenges and opportunities inherent in the business.

    “We are all very proud of the achievements we have been able to make as a group, working together in the different sectors. We have grown from one or two sectors to we all know how many sectors we have now,” she said.

  • FG mobilises Dangote, Otedola, Elumelu, NGF against malaria

    FG mobilises Dangote, Otedola, Elumelu, NGF against malaria

    As part of the drive toward eradicating malaria in Nigeria, the Federal Government has enlisted the support of prominent business leaders led by Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group, alongside Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, and Femi Otedola, Chairman of Geregu Power Plc to lead the charge against the disease.

    Other members of the Council tasked with reducing, and potentially eliminating the malaria scourge in the country include Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health; Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM); Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; President, National Council For Women Society (NCWS); and National Amira, Federation of Muslim Women’s Association (FOMWAN), and others.

    During the inaugural meeting of the Nigeria End Malaria Council on Thursday in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa emphasized the urgency of addressing malaria prevalence in Nigeria, which led to the establishment of the Council, saying, “The disease’s prevalence in the country makes it urgently expedient to explore every option available to address it”.

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    The Nigeria End Malaria Council, established in 2017, was inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari on August 16, 2022 with the primary objectives to keep malaria high on national and state agendas, secure strong political commitment from leaders, and mobilize resources from both traditional and innovative sources, particularly the private sector, to close resource gaps in the national malaria strategic plan.

    Following the 2022 inauguration, the Council was unable to meet due to the change in government and other operational challenges, although the Secretariat remained functional.

    Noting that the urgency of the Council’s mission is underscored by alarming statistics of the scourge, the Minister said, “Nigeria contributes over a quarter of global malaria cases and about a third of the more than 600,000 malaria deaths worldwide, mostly affecting children and pregnant women.

    “It is sad to note that malaria contributes about 25-30% of childhood mortality and about 60% of hospital attendance. Similarly, malaria is a major cause of absenteeism in schools, markets, and workplaces, as well as a significant out-of-pocket expense for most households in the country”.

    He also recalled Nigeria’s involvement earlier this year in the Ministerial Conference on Malaria in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where Nigeria, alongside 10 other high-burden countries, signed a Declaration to scale up interventions against malaria.

    This, according to him, was followed by the “Rethinking Malaria Elimination in Nigeria” roundtable discussion in Abuja, which brought together major stakeholders and global players to identify challenges and strategize on eliminating malaria.

    Highlighting the enormity of the challenge, Alausa lamented that “Nigeria currently has a population of over 200 million, and the entire population is at risk of malaria. This puts a huge challenge on the Government and requires a different approach to tackle the disease.”

    He, however, acknowledged that while current interventions like antimalarial medicines and protective measures such as treated nets and insecticides are essential, they remain insufficient.  

  • Security agencies should tell us those stealing our oil – Elumelu

    Security agencies should tell us those stealing our oil – Elumelu

    Billionaire Tony Elumelu has tasked security agencies to expose those who steal the country’s crude oil, especially using vessels that move through the territorial waters.

    Elumelu said this in an interview published in the Financial Times on Friday.

    Elumelu claimed that the threat was a factor in foreign oil corporations pulling out of Nigeria.

    He added that once criminal gangs started stealing crude from his pipelines, he personally witnessed why major oil firms were partially withdrawing from their onshore holdings.

    In 2022, when his company had to shut down production, Elumelu tweeted: “How can we be losing over 95 percent of oil production to thieves? Look at the Bonny Terminal, which should be receiving over 200,000 barrels of crude oil daily, instead, it receives less than 3,000 barrels, leading the operator Shell to declare force majeure. 

    “The reason Nigeria is unable to meet its OPEC production quota is not because of low investment but because of theft, pure and simple!

    Read Also: Elumelu seeks more funding in healthcare delivery

    “Meanwhile, oil-producing countries are smiling as their foreign reserve is rising. What is Nigeria’s problem? We need to hold our leaders more accountable!”

    Speaking with the Financial Times on Friday, Elumelu alleged oil thieves still take away 18 percent of crude from his field.

    “42,000 barrels of crude pumped out daily. Theft still takes away about 18 percent of production,” he stated.

    Asked who is behind the theft, he replied: “This is oil theft, we’re not talking about stealing a bottle of Coke you can put in your pocket. The government should know, they should tell us. 

    “Look at America — Donald Trump was shot at and quickly they knew the background of who shot him. Our security agencies should tell us who is stealing our oil. You bring vessels to our territorial waters and we don’t know?”

  • Elumelu seeks more funding in healthcare delivery

    Elumelu seeks more funding in healthcare delivery

    Tony Elumelu Foundation is working to unlock improvements, equality and attract more funding for Africa’s healthcare delivery, its Founder, Tony Elumelu has said.

    He spoke yesterday at the Abu Dhabi Health Forum, held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Elumelu said the feat will be achieved by leveraging the power of entrepreneurship, innovation, and working across sectors to make a difference.

    Elumelu reiterated his passion for entrepreneurship, and the need to prioritize appropriate capital allocation and investments in innovation (health research and health technology / IT) to drive global improvements in health outcomes — across Africa.

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    “My foundation has funded 700 healthcare entrepreneurs, with a gender distribution ratio of 49 per cent male to 51 per cent female, but this is just a tip of the iceberg.  These entrepreneurs have gone on to help communities and even their countries in advancing health care delivery in Africa,” he said.

    Elumelu listed some of the representative beneficiaries as Ritalee Monde who is providing affordable medical oxygen in Zimbabwe.  Through her company Leemed Supplies, she is making medical oxygen accessible at one-third of the market price, even providing it for free to those unable to afford it.

  • Elumelu to bankers: there’s still so much to be done

    Elumelu to bankers: there’s still so much to be done

    • Lists attributes that define success for GMAP graduands

    Group Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Tony Elumelu has said he does not in any way see himself as an accomplished individual, rather he continually finds ways to add value to the society.

    He spoke yesterday in Lagos, during the second Graduate Management Acceleration Programme (GMAP) organised by the bank for young bankers who have joined its workforce.

    In response to a question from one of the graduands on whether his successes in business and life place him at the level of self actualisation.

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    Elumelu said despite his business exploits, he still feels that there are so much more to be accomplished, especially in bringing solutions to the different challenges facing Africa and its citizens.

    He said it was the need to turn things around that prompted him to start the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) to promote small and medium enterprises and democratise luck in the business space.

    He said: “I don’t feel accomplished.  For me, greater human impact is key. My needs have been changing. I always think of ways to invest more in the education and health sector for the benefit of mankind. Before I go, my desire is that problems facing the world today should be addressed”.

    Elumelu said that investments in TEF were not out of abundance, but genuine desire to create hope and opportunities for others.

  • Elumelu admits Interest  to own  club in NPFL

    Elumelu admits Interest  to own  club in NPFL

    Philanthropist and Nigeria’s billionaire Tony Elumelu has signified  interest in acquiring a club in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following  discussions  with the Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh.

    The Chairman of Heirs Holdings and United Bank for Africa (UBA) hinted as  much while  responding  to a string of discussion concerning private ownership of clubs in Nigeria .

    Earlier on Tuesday, the X user, LawyerDayo, said:  Can we get the President and Ministry of Sport to weigh in on the big corporations in Nigeria to buy at least one league club as part of CSR? Imagine Dangote buys Kano pillars, BUA buys Kwara United, Elumelu acquires Rivers United, Geregu takes over 3SC. Imagine the competition?

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    Responding , the founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation,  disclosed that he alongside some other top personalities in the country , have been contacted by the minister as they are currently evaluating the viability of acquisition in bid to further develop the league  as a form of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    He responded to the user  saying ‘this s a nice idea’ with  accompanying   thumbed up emoji  and added:

    “ The Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh @OwanEnoh, is already thinking  along this line  and has approached me and we are already  evaluating viability.”

  • Elumelu’s entrepreneurs: A decade of impact

    Elumelu’s entrepreneurs: A decade of impact

    • By Ehi Braimah

    In the summer of 2020, I wrote an article titled, “Tony Elumelu: God’s Gift to Africa,” which was later published as a chapter in my book, ‘My Lockdown Diary: Reflections on Nigeria and Covid-19 Pandemic.’ At the time, the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) marked its 10th anniversary and admitted its 6th cohort in the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme.

    Elumelu is the chairman of UBA, and chairman of Heirs Holdings, an African investment conglomerate with interests in financial services, healthcare, insurance, energy, hospitality, power, real estate, and technology.

    Once you have a vision to do something, avoid distractions as much as possible and don’t allow anything to hold you back. This is what Elumelu has been doing: dreaming, crafting visions and acquiring knowledge. Ideas rule the world, and the TEF founder has been running with his ideas by investing in different sectors of the economy.

    On top of that, he is Africa’s leading funder of young entrepreneurs.

    When he moved into philanthropy, Elumelu, with the support of his wife, Awele, a medical doctor, launched the Tony Elumelu Foundation in 2010. His primary objective was, and is, to create enduring prosperity and social wealth in Africa by empowering young men and women.

    The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme began with the first cohort in 2015. I was one of the pioneer mentors.

    By prioritising young entrepreneurs in Africa, the Tony Elumelu Foundation is investing in the future of the continent. These young business owners and employers have gone ahead to create over 400,000 direct and indirect jobs, grossing over $2.5 billion in revenue – a significant impact in a decade.

    During that period, the Foundation trained over 1.5 million young Africans on the digital hub, TEFConnect, and disbursed over $100 million in direct funding to 20,000 young men and women.

    The initial goal was to empower 10,000 entrepreneurs in 10 years, but all that, as we can see, have changed with time.

    TEF is funded by an annual grant from Heirs Holdings and supported by other companies in the group. In the first five years, TEF spent over N2 billion to achieve its objectives. Each Tony Elumelu entrepreneur is given a non-refundable seed capital of $5,000 to start their own business.

    But the number of grantees grew gradually with support from partners such as Google, African Development Bank, EU, UNDP, etc. This is why Elumelu is calling for a global coalition to expand the reach and impact of the entrepreneurship programme, and unlock the huge economic potential of Africa.

    “Instead of giving seed money to only 1,000 young entrepreneurs, I’m envisaging a time when we can fund 100,000 entrepreneurs,” Elumelu said on March 22 (his birthday) when the new beneficiaries – the 10th cohort of the 10-year-long TEF Entrepreneurship Programme – were unveiled at the UBA Amphitheatre in Lagos.

    Elumelu says we should spread opportunities and democratise luck for our young ones. This is his passion, as he is on a mission to empower young Africans to become wealth creators. He is quick to remind anyone that luck, chance and mentorship helped him to get along on his journey to the top.

    He is always excited when he listens to TEF impact stories across the continent. These captivating stories are the joys of entrepreneurship which Elumelu needs to fire on all cylinders as he embarks on another decade of transforming lives.

    Indeed, most of the TEF entrepreneurs are doing well, while some are failing or have failed. That is to be expected in the topsy-turvy world of entrepreneurship. However, you only need to listen to their testimonials and see how philanthropy can be used to leverage influence and impact in the way TEF under Elumelu’s leadership has done it.

    The icing on the cake is that after 10 years of impact in African philanthropy, the Harvard Business School has launched the Tony Elumelu Foundation as a case study. Harvard researchers intend to examine the role and impact of the Foundation and its unique approach to catalysing entrepreneurship in Africa.

    Harvard Business School will also explore the economic philosophy known as Africapitalism created by Elumelu. Africapitalism is anchored on the strong argument that the private sector must play a pivotal role in Africa’s development, and that investment in strategic sectors must seek social and economic returns.

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    Other billionaires in Africa should emulate Elumelu by creating a legacy of impact in any area of human endeavour. Their interventions should aim at improving the lives of Africans by changing the existing narrative of poverty into prosperity. Humanity is a precious gift, and we have a duty to nurture and preserve it.

    In 2024, over 150,000 entries were received from the 54 countries in Africa, according to Somachi Chris-Asoluka, CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, but only 1,104 made the cut through a rigorous selection process carried out by Ernst & Young (EY), with 65 percent male and 35 percent female distribution.

    As you would expect, Nigerians dominated the final shortlist with 53 percent, Benin republic had 10 percent, while the rest of Africa was 37 percent.

    The criteria used were: feasibility of each pitch, market opportunity, financial understanding, scalability, and leadership and entrepreneurial skills. The beneficiaries of the 10th cohort have already identified what they will spend their seed money on, but I was not surprised that a majority of them (381) want to invest in agriculture and create agribusiness.

    It is the only way we can boost food security and eliminate hunger and package agricultural products for export. Nigeria can become the food basket of Africa in view of our vast arable land.

    On the industry distribution listed presented by Ernst & Young, we also have information technology (133), beauty & fashion (118), manufacturing (80), education (64), professional services (63), green economy (57), medicine & healthcare (41), media & entertainment (34), logistics and transportation (30), energy and utilities (28), construction (25), tourism & hospitality (23), and FMCG (18).

    From the over 150,000 entries received, 69.8 percent came from West Africa, 0.5 percent from North Africa, 21.1 percent from East Africa, 4.5 percent from Central Africa and 4.1 percent from Southern Africa. But this is not a West African event, neither is language a barrier. We need more participation from the rest of Africa. 

    Elumelu is fond of telling his young entrepreneurs to “hang in there and be positive about your future.” He also says we must spread prosperity in Africa. “The easiest way to spread prosperity in Africa is to identify young entrepreneurs and support them to start their own business,” he told the audience at the unveiling of the 2024 beneficiaries.

    •Braimah is a global public relations consultant and marketing strategist.