Elumelu Sets Out Africa’s Priorities For UNGA 2024

Philanthropist and business leader Tony Elumelu is set to make Africa’s transformative economic growth, youth employment, and energy transition central to the discussions at this year’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

According to a statement, 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 an event co-hosted by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), led by WFP executive director Cindy McCain.

“Elumelu will bring his perspective from extensive experience building industry-leading businesses across the continent and the success of the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s catalytic programmes empowering young Africans. Elumelu is a realist, challenging Africa and Africans to solve their problems and bringing African solutions, but also recognising Africa’s responsibility to act.

As Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (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 been featured in case studies from Harvard, Chicago Business School, Stanford, and Cambridge,” the statement read.

Also, 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, gender 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.”