3 Reasons Why Tony Elumelu and Dr. Awele Elumelu are Africa’s Power Couple
A few days ago, the internet went abuzz when CNN International shared a video of billionaire philanthropist, Tony O. Elumelu and his wife, Dr. Awele Elumelu and referred to both as “Africa’s Power Couple” in recognition of their work empowering African entrepreneurs.
“Tony Elumelu, Founder, The Tony Elumelu Foundation, and his wife, Awele Vivien Elumelu, explain how they’re aiming to create a million jobs in a decade by focusing on funding for startups and entrepreneurs” – the caption read.
There are a few things you should know about the Elumelus.
Here are 3 reasons why Tony and Dr. Awele Elumelu are Africa’s Power Couple and bonus things they have set out to achieve:
- Tony and Dr. Awele Elumelu are passionate about empowering African entrepreneurs. In 2010, the Elumelu Family commitment $100million to empower 10,000 African entrepreneurs in 10 years through the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme.Half-way through the year, they have gone beyond their annual commitment of 1,000 entrepreneurs yearly. The current number of beneficiaries stands at 7,520 across all 54 African countries. Click HERE for more.
- The goal of the Elumelus is to empower these entrepreneurs to create 1million jobs and contribute $10billion in revenue to the African economy by the end of their 10-year Programme. Their commitment stems out of the philosophy of Africapitalism coined by Tony Elumelu; the ambitious theory that the African private sector has the potential of transforming the African continent. Check HERE for stories of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs.
- An entrepreneur himself, Tony Elumelu began from humble beginnings and rose quickly to become the Chairman of Africa’s global bank, United Bank for Africa, Chairman of the family-owned investment company, Heirs Holdings, and Chairman of Nigerian conglomerate, Transcorp Plc.Besides her role as Trustee of the Foundation, Dr. Awele Elumelu, a mother of seven, has been a role model for career women across Africa. She is the Chairperson of Avon Healthcare and GAVI Ambassador of Immunisation in Africa.
BONUS: This July, the Tony Elumelu Foundation will host the largest gathering of African entrepreneurs on the continent. Over 5,000 participants are expected.
To know about the Elumelus and meet the entrepreneurs they have empowered, click HERE to register for the forum.
