He stood quietly, his usual mien of confidence and fulfilment, as the President of Gabon, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema adjusted the gleaming medal on his chest. To the onlookers, it was a moment rich with symbolism – not just the honour bestowed on Tony Elumelu, but what it represented: one man’s unwavering belief in Africa’s potential, and the ripple effect of that belief across an entire continent.
Elumelu, 62, didn’t start out with power, wealth, or global recognition. Like many Africans, he began with just a dream. Backing this dream with an unflinching determination to succeed, he utilized the decades from his post-30s to evolve into a human Midas, infusing his peculiar spark into everything that he touched. He was, and still is, a man on a mission – to recreate Africa in a way that would lift Africans; one centered not on personal gain, but on empowering millions of others to dream just as boldly.
So, when General Nguema honoured Elumelu with the Commander in the National Order of Gabonese Merit in Libreville, it wasn’t just a state gesture – it was a heartfelt tribute from one nation to a man who has championed many, and a recognition that Elumelu’s legacy is no longer just Nigerian – it is African, and indeed global.
While conferring the award, Nguema said: ‘Tony Elumelu is not only a visionary entrepreneur but also a committed friend of our nation, Gabon’. The friendship he spoke about, however, is not built on ceremony – it is built on action, on investment, on belief. It is built on the thousands of Gabonese and indeed African youth who have received mentorship, seed capital, and a chance to rewrite their own stories, thanks to Elumelu.
The honour, not the first of its kind, is also a testament to Brand Tony Elumelu – a brand not defined by momentary headlines, but by consistency, integrity, and purpose. Over the years, Elumelu has become a well-known and trusted name not only in boardrooms but also in policy spaces, social enterprises, and local communities. His voice carries weight, not because it is loud, but because it is lived.
As Chairman of Africa’s Global Bank – UBA Group – with presence in 20 African countries and key global markets, as well as the Founder of Heirs Holdings, Elumelu has proven that African companies can scale, compete, and lead. And yet, Elumelu is as comfortable in a presidential palace in Libreville as he is, seated with young entrepreneurs in Lagos or Kigali, listening, mentoring, supporting, giving, investing.
Indeed, it would seem very difficult to see many Africans who have done as much to promote entrepreneurship on the continent as Elumelu. Through the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), he committed over $100 million to support entrepreneurs in all 54 African countries, and so far, over 18,500 young Africans have received non-refundable seed capital, with over one million connected through TEF’s digital ecosystem.
Again, these are not just numbers, they are lives changed, ideas brought to life, businesses born, and communities strengthened. Futures rewritten.
It is therefore no surprise that the recent honour joins a growing list of international recognitions: from TIME100’s Most Influential People in the World, to Belgium’s oldest royal order, and countless others. Yet for Elumelu, these awards are not trophies to be displayed – they are steady reminders of more responsibility.
For millions of young Africans, Elumelu is not merely a successful businessman. He is the architect of a new vision – one where Africa’s prosperity is led by Africans, powered by entrepreneurship, and nurtured through inclusive, cross-border collaboration
Elumelu remains that rare global African leader who never forgets his roots. Whether engaging with heads of state in Africa, meeting with business leaders in Europe, or interacting with development institutions in the United States, he speaks a language rooted in Africapitalism – his firm belief that Africa’s private sector and its entrepreneurs hold the key to the continent’s development.
This makes his latest recognition not just a personal honour, but a moment of collective pride. For Gabon. For Nigeria. For Africa.
Elumelu summed it up perfectly: ‘This is more than a medal – it is a reminder of what we can achieve together as Africans’.
Indeed, it is. And in a world hungry for genuine leadership and authentic impact, Tony Elumelu remains a guiding light – not only for what he has built, but for what he believes: that Africa’s future is not something to be waited for. It is something to be shaped, boldly and together; and like he never fails to retort: ‘The Future of Africa is in our Hands’!!!
