Tony Elumelu Champions West Africa Integration Efforts

Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings and founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, emphasized the importance of private sector involvement in Africa's economic transformation during a media roundtable in Lagos. He participated alongside Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, discussing the upcoming West Africa Investment and Industrialisation Summit (WAIIS) scheduled for November 16-18, 2026, in Freetown.

The summit aims to mobilize over $180 billion in investments across four strategic pillars, focusing on developing investment-ready projects and enhancing cooperation between governments and businesses in West Africa. Elumelu articulated that Africa must take greater responsibility for its development, advocating for long-term investments that yield both economic returns and social impact.

He linked the initiative to the urgent need for job creation for youth and ensuring economic growth translates into opportunities for all in the region.