Elumelu to Speak on Africapitalism, Youth Empowerment at UAE, UK, Italy

The Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu, will be travelling to key cities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), United Kingdom (UK), and Italy to speak with business leaders and philanthropists on Africapitalism, and youth empowerment in Africa.
Elumelu, who is also the Chairman of United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) during the tour will be focusing on the role of entrepreneurship and job creation in fostering global food security; the economic empowerment of Africa’s youth to address migration challenges and create meaningful employment and a call for private-public partnerships to democratise access to healthcare and foster innovation to improve the quality of life globally.

Elumelu noted that gone are the days when Africans were written out of the narrative, unheard, ignored, an afterthought, stressing that African stakeholders must take centre-stage and act now to define our present and lay the pathway for an impactful future.
“This is what Africapitalism preaches: partnerships that facilitate shared prosperity and deliver equitable outcomes.
“It is this message that I will take with me next week, as I travel to the Middle East and Europe, and join other business leaders and philanthropists,” he said.
Panel session at the health leaders’ forum in Abu Dhabi on Monday, Elumelu who was invited by his good friend, Badr Jafar, will participate in the agenda setting opener for the Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week.

“Other speakers on the panel believe transformation will only be achieved by us, Africans.

“However, I believe in partnership, in all aspects of life.  To unlock Africa’s potential and create a future of inclusive growth, sustainable development, and mutual prosperity, we must forge partnerships and create platforms for all voices to be heard and to catalyse the change we want to see,” he said in a statement.

On Wednesday, Elumelu will be travelling to London, where he will host the Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), Cindy McCain, as well as other policymakers and leaders, to a private reception jointly organised by the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) and the United Bank for Africa (UBA).

The TEF and the World Food Programme share a similar vision to address the global humanitarian and migration crisis. It will be an opportunity to not only showcase the work of both organisations, but explore innovative areas of partnerships to foster economic growth and stability through youth entrepreneurship.

Concluding his trip, Elumelu will join a roundtable discussion themed ‘Powering the Energy Transition for the Benefit of All’, at the B7 Summit in Rome, where he will join co-panelists to propose recommendations and priorities for catalysing energy transition that is equitable for all.

He expressed that these meetings are critical to casting a spotlight on Africa’s needs, but also to show that Africa has credible voices, who can deliver on partnerships.

“Our Group, our commitment to role model business success and innovative, catalytic philanthropy, stands out,” he added in a statement.