The Founder Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Tony Elumelu has said that despite being the least contributor to climate change it suffers the most impact.
According to Elumelu, the continent needs the attention of the world to address the climate impact that is sweeping across the continent.
The TEF founder said he was willing to partner with a new generation of young African entrepreneurs to address climate change and drive the broader wealth creation that Africa requires.
Elumelu noted that Africa’s youth, entrepreneurial, ambitious, and resilience needs to be given the highest priority.
He offered the infrastructure and experience of his own Foundation’s 10 year $100m entrepreneurship programme to partners, to catalyse a further generation of African entrepreneurs. According to him, reaching and funding young entrepreneurs in every African country, the Elumelu approach of sector agnostic seed funding, mentoring, and networking has delivered a robust impact.
The annual COP UN Climate Change Conferences unites the world to assess progress in combating climate change.
Elumelu is one of Africa’s leading advocates for an equitable agenda for climate action and through the Tony Elumelu Foundation has empowered thousands of green entrepreneurs, shaping a more sustainable future for Africa.
“Addressing climate change is the paramount challenge of our era. The urgency is unmistakable.” “It is critical that Africa, as a continent, and African voices, play a key role in global climate conversations, as meaningful participants, and no longer as bystanders. Africa is least responsible and is disproportionately impacted by climate change. I am investing in a generation of green entrepreneurs, and we are extending the hand of partnership, so that others can benefit and use the infrastructure and platform we have created to reach entrepreneurs across Africa,” Elumelu stated.
In a compelling story, Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur from Madagascar in the green economy, Marie-Christiana Kola, said, “As a beneficiary of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship programme, I was able to create a recycled and 100% biodegradable hand soap made with waste cooked oil – the number one water polluter of water in African urban cities. These soaps do not only protect the environment, but they are also solidarity soaps. I was also able to attend the COP27 conference in Egypt, where I won the Innovation Prize. Today, I have employed over 30 people because of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.”
Speaking at the TEF #COP28 high-level event, Dr. Okonjo Iweala, DG, World Trade Organisation stated, “I am proud of what my brother, Tony Elumelu, has done in empowering and inspiring so many young entrepreneurs. We have no choice; the future is green. The future of growth is two things – it is green, and it must be inclusive. I am very interested in partnerships with organisations like TEF.”
