Gabon Hails Tony Elumelu’s Role in Africa’s Development Agenda
The Government of Gabon has expressed strong admiration for Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist Tony Elumelu, praising his transformative role in advancing Africa’s development and affirming his close ties with the Central African nation.
In an official statement delivered during a regional economic forum in Libreville, a senior Gabonese official hailed Elumelu as “not only a visionary entrepreneur but also a committed friend of our nation, Gabon.”
The commendation highlights Elumelu’s growing reputation not just as a business leader, but as a driving force for inclusive growth and youth empowerment across the continent.
Champion of Africapitalism
Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings and United Bank for Africa (UBA), is widely known for championing the philosophy of “Africapitalism”—a belief that the private sector, particularly entrepreneurs, must play a leading role in Africa’s development.
His work through the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), which he founded in 2010, has directly impacted over 20,000 young African entrepreneurs across all 54 countries on the continent, including many in Gabon.
“Tony Elumelu’s vision of empowering a generation of African entrepreneurs has become a beacon of hope and opportunity,” the Gabonese official noted. “His contributions reflect a pan-African commitment that transcends borders and unites us around a shared goal of economic self-reliance.”
Gabonese entrepreneurs have been among the many beneficiaries of the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s annual entrepreneurship programme, which provides training, mentorship, and non-refundable seed capital to startup founders.
Many of these young business leaders have gone on to create local jobs, introduce innovative solutions, and strengthen Gabon’s private sector.
One recipient, Amandine Mboumba, who launched a green energy startup in Port-Gentil, credited the foundation’s support with helping her business achieve financial stability and expand across the region.
“The TEF programme changed the trajectory of my life,” she said. “It gave me the tools and confidence to build something lasting.”
Elumelu’s work has received global attention, earning him accolades from institutions such as the United Nations, the African Union, and the European Union.
He has served as a key voice in high-level discussions on economic policy, sustainable development, and the future of Africa’s youth.
His bank, UBA, has also maintained a strong presence in Gabon and across Francophone Africa, offering financial services that foster trade, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion.
The recent recognition from Gabon’s leadership is part of a broader trend of African governments acknowledging the role of the private sector in shaping the continent’s development path. With leaders like Elumelu investing in people and ideas, the prospects for a self-sustaining African economic renaissance are stronger than ever.
“In Mr. Elumelu, we see not just a businessman, but a true African patriot,” the official concluded. “He has our respect, our gratitude, and our full support as we build a more prosperous future for all Africans.”
