President Nguema of Gabon honours Tony Elumelu with national award for empowering African entrepreneurs and driving economic growth
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he President of Gabon, His Excellency General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, has conferred one of the nation’s highest honours, the Commander in the National Order of Gabonese Merit, on renowned Nigerian businessman Tony Elumelu.
Also read: Tony Elumelu empowers additional 3,000 young African entrepreneurs
This prestigious recognition celebrates Elumelu’s impactful contribution to Africa’s economic transformation, especially through his promotion of youth entrepreneurship and infrastructure development in Gabon and across the continent.
At a ceremony held on Monday at the presidential palace in Libreville, President Nguema praised Elumelu’s commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development.
He stated, “Tony Elumelu is not only a visionary entrepreneur but also a committed friend of our nation Gabon. Through his Foundation and the UBA Group, he has consistently shown that investing in Africa is not just good business; it is the key to our shared future.”
Elumelu, who has made several strategic visits to Gabon in recent months, expressed deep appreciation for the award and reaffirmed his dedication to supporting the country’s economic goals.
“I am truly humbled by this honour. It reflects a shared belief; that African-led solutions and entrepreneurs will shape the future of this continent,” Elumelu said.
“This is more than a medal—it is a reminder of what we can achieve together as Africans.”
The award highlights UBA’s expanding partnership with Gabon, particularly in financing infrastructure and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Under Elumelu’s leadership, the Tony Elumelu Foundation provides business training, mentorship, and non-refundable seed capital of $5,000 to thousands of African youths annually, including young Gabonese.
Elumelu is the Chairman of UBA, which operates in 20 African countries and globally, and also leads Heirs Holdings and Transcorp Group—companies focused on sectors vital to Africa’s growth.
His legacy is rooted in Africapitalism, an economic philosophy that positions the private sector and entrepreneurs as key to Africa’s prosperity.
Also read: Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu foundation empower young African entrepreneurs with $5,000 seed capital
This honour arrives at a defining moment for Gabon, as the country embarks on a renewed journey toward economic recovery under new leadership, with Elumelu standing as a strong partner in that vision.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
