African philanthropist and business magnate, Tony Elumelu, is set to spotlight Africa’s transformative economic growth, youth employment, and energy transition at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 2024, which will take place in late September in New York. Elumelu will emphasize these critical areas during a series of high-profile engagements, including a roundtable discussion with former U.S. President Bill Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative and a collaborative event co-hosted by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF). The event will be led by WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.
Elumelu, known for his work in empowering young African entrepreneurs through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, will advocate for African-led solutions to the continent’s challenges, underlining the urgency of action. As Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group and Heirs Holdings, he is a prominent figure in driving Africa’s transformation and shifting the global narrative on African issues. His foundation’s youth entrepreneurship programs, which have empowered thousands of Africans, have been lauded in case studies at institutions like Harvard and Stanford.
Africa’s challenges, including the lack of access to electricity for over 60% of its population and the fact that more than 60% of Africans are under the age of 25, will be central to Elumelu’s message. He will highlight the continent’s infrastructure deficits, the urgent need for sustainable economic growth, and the global impact of environmental crises driven by climate change, such as recent catastrophic floods in West Africa.
In a recent statement, Elumelu underscored the importance of addressing these issues: “There is no place in the world where you can reap such significant investments as Africa. However, to unlock this potential, we must confront the challenges of sustainable economic growth, youth unemployment, gender inequality, and Africa’s energy transition. These are essential not just for Africa’s development but also for achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals.”
Elumelu’s Africapitalism philosophy—an economic model that encourages the private sector to take the lead in driving social and economic prosperity—will be a key part of his advocacy at UNGA 2024. This vision for Africa’s future emphasizes that economic growth and social wealth should be mutually inclusive, ensuring prosperity for all.
In addition to his advocacy, UBA Group will host a networking gala on the sidelines of the UNGA. The gala will spotlight investment opportunities in Africa and celebrate UBA’s 75th anniversary and 40 years of operations in the United States. This event will bring together leaders from four continents to discuss Africa’s future and commemorate UBA’s contributions to the continent’s development.
Elumelu’s participation at UNGA 2024 signals a renewed call to action, with a focus on African-driven growth and solutions, ensuring the continent’s voice is heard on the global stage.
