Tony Elumelu, chairman of Heirs Holdings and United Bank for Africa (UBA), will co-chair the New Africa Summit at the eighth edition of Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh.
Elumelu, a prominent advocate for African economic transformation, will speak at the FII Opening Plenary, titled “Board of Changemakers: Banking & Investment,” along with other global financial leaders. He will also take part in a fireside chat titled “Landscape of African Entrepreneurship,” where he will discuss entrepreneurship, youth investment, and UBA’s rapid expansion in the Gulf region.
Themed “Infinite Horizons,” the FII aims to showcase how investment can drive a sustainable and prosperous future, gathering influential leaders to push the boundaries of human potential. As a business leader and catalytic philanthropist, Elumelu will bring his perspective to the table, highlighting Africa’s role in shaping a dynamic investment landscape.
Elumelu, as founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), will champion entrepreneurship as a means to propel Africa’s economic growth and job creation. “The relationship between Africa and the Gulf has evolved to be a thriving economic partnership, driving growth across both regions,” Elumelu stated. “I am proud to co-chair the New Africa Summit at FII, where we will explore mutually beneficial investment opportunities and highlight the key role entrepreneurship plays in transforming visions into ventures.”
On October 29, Elumelu will join other prominent leaders at the Opening Plenary, discussing the role of visionary leadership in building innovative economic systems. He will share insights from TEF’s impactful approach to youth empowerment, a model that has positioned the foundation at the forefront of poverty eradication and economic transformation in Africa.
In addition to Elumelu, senior executives from Heirs Holdings (HH) will also represent the group at FII. Owen Omogiafo, President and Group CEO of Transcorp Group, will participate in the HERizon Summit, where she will join global female leaders in discussing women’s roles in powering sustainable supply chains. Transcorp, a leading African company, strategically invests in power, hospitality, and energy sectors, contributing to HH’s mission of improving lives across Africa.
Osa Igiehon, CEO of Heirs Energies, will speak on energy transition and security, sharing Heirs Energies’ contributions to Nigeria’s energy independence through its expanding oil and gas operations. These efforts align with HH’s integrated energy strategy, which aims to power Africa’s future sustainably.
Meanwhile, Muyiwa Akinyemi, Deputy Managing Director of UBA Group, will participate in a roundtable session, offering insights from UBA’s extensive operations across Africa and its pivotal role in strengthening economic ties between Africa and the Gulf. The bank’s expansion in the GCC underscores its commitment to fostering cross-border investments and sustainable growth.
On the sidelines of FII, the Tony Elumelu Foundation will host a session dedicated to youth entrepreneurship, underscoring its critical role in creating shared prosperity across the continent. Through the Foundation, Elumelu has championed “Africapitalism” as a model for development, underscoring entrepreneurship as a vital pathway to accelerating Africa’s economic advancement.
