For Africa, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) presents an opportunity for African leaders to engage in global diplomacy, voice the continent’s concerns, and advocate for issues like economic development, peace, security, climate change, and sustainable growth while also making recommendations on international policies that affect the continent.
As global advocates for Africa’s socio-economic development, Heirs Holdings continues to drive conversations and champion innovative solutions that uplift communities across the continent. At the forefront of this mission, Heirs Holdings Founder and Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, alongside other senior executives, joined the world’s public and private sector leaders in New York for the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) themed “Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for present and future generations.”
Mr. Elumelu participated in various high-level discussions, going with the key messages of transformative economic growth, youth employment and equitable energy transition.
Saturday, September 21:
Heirs Holdings Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, met with the Deputy Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Fatou Haidara, on the sidelines of #UNGA79.
Later in the day, he met with the Prime Minister of Grenada, Honourable Dickon Mitchell. Their conversation looked at areas of potential investment that can yield sustainable development.
Sunday, September 22:
Mr. Elumelu’s day started with a meeting with the Prime Minister of Jamaica, H.E. Andrew Holness. Together, they explored opportunities for more meaningful engagement between Africa and the Caribbeans.
He had a tea session with the Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Margrethe Vestager. In alignment with the global solidarity for gender inclusion, they discussed the impact of TEF’s Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (WE4A) programme, reaffirming the importance of building trust-based initiatives that empower women across the continent.
He continued in the day with meetings with Jakob Granit, Director General, Swedish International Development Agency; and the Director General of the Norwegian Agency for Development (NORAD), Bard Vegar Solhjell. In both meetings, their discussions explored the importance of collective action to create an enabling environment for African entrepreneurs.
“If you prioritise the young ones, they will solve big problems – we must create the right environment to foster prosperity.” – Tony O. Elumelu, C.F.R
In the evening, Tony Elumelu delivered the welcome remark at the cocktail event jointly hosted by Heirs Holdings’ philanthropic arm, The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP), for private sector leaders from around the world. During his remarks, he encouraged global private sector leaders to play a more active role in addressing global challenges such as hunger and instability. He highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in advancing solutions, emphasising that progress in business cannot be separated from humanitarian well-being.
“We all are here tonight, not as philanthropists, not as investors, not as business leaders. We are here because we are committed to a common cause. The cause of advancing peace and prosperity throughout the world… We need the world to come together. Those of us who are lucky to afford three-square meals need to think about the 780 million citizens of the world who do not know where their next meal will come from.” – Tony O. Elumelu, C.F.R
At the event, WFP Executive Director, Cindy McCain also emphasised the key role the private sector must play in creating and sustaining inclusive development across the world.
Later, he attended the Emmerson Collective: Invitation to Climate Science Fair hosted by Laurene Powell Jobs. The event brought together entrepreneurs and innovators—including scientists, farmers, artists, community leaders, and educators—who are deploying and scaling big, bold, optimistic climate solutions across the country.
To end the day, he honoured an invitation to a private dinner hosted by Badr Jafar, the CEO of Crescent Enterprises, and Razan Al Mubarak, President, International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Monday, September 23:
The Heirs Holdings Group Chairman had a meeting with Runa Alam, the co-founder and CEO of Development Partners International (DPI), a private equity firm investing throughout Africa. They looked at ways to better invest across the critical areas that will foster sustainable development on the African continent.
He attended the Clinton Global Initiative Main Plenary Session which was followed by an Executive Roundtable Lunch with President Clinton on Speed and Scale: Getting to Climate Targets.
He also engaged in several high-level conversations which included meetings with H.E. President Brice Oligui Nguema, Transitional President of Gabon, exploring opportunities to collaborate and providing access to banking services in underserved communities; and with Gabrielle Daines Gay, the Director of Emerging Market Strategy at Kensington Capital Holdings. They explored how deeper collaboration can help scale African start-ups and position them for global success.
The Heirs Holdings Group Chairman attended the Community Jameel event to mark the celebration of the 10th anniversary of J-WAFS. The session was part of a dynamic set of events that celebrated innovative approaches to global health and wellbeing through the arts.
In the evening, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, participated at the Clinton Global Initiative Principal’s Reception; joining a high-level dinner event on SDG 4, which was hosted by the former Prime Minister of the UK, H.E. Gordon Brown & Sarah Brown and co-hosted by H.E. Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados.
He ended the day attending the Goalkeepers private reception hosted by Bill Gates. At this event, Mr. Elumelu focused on the urgency of accelerating progress towards the Global Goals and highlighted how Africa’s future must remain central to these global conversations if we are to achieve sustainable development for all.
Tuesday, September 24:
Heirs Holdings investee company, the United Bank for Africa (UBA), hosted an exclusive reception, on the sidelines of the UNGA to celebrate Africa, bringing together global leaders from across the private and public sectors, for an evening of meaningful networking and impactful discussions. It was also an opportunity to commemorate UBA’s 75th anniversary and 40 years of operations in America.
Wednesday, September 25:
Mr. Elumelu attended the Africa Centre Breakfast hosted by Aliko Dangote, the Chairman and CEO of Dangote Group.
After this, he met with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator, Achim Steiner. Their conversation explored how to rebuild the trust between Africa’s youth and the global economy. Mr. Elumelu highlighted the criticality of trust in developing programmes that empower and create hope among Africa’s youth.
The Group Chairman met H.E. President William Ruto of Kenya, later in the day, They explored opportunities to further reinforce Kenya’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, where Heirs Holdings philanthropic arm, TEF, has already supported about 800 Kenyan entrepreneurs and businesses.
Throughout his engagements and commitments at UNGA 79, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, was joined by a distinguished team of leaders from across the Heirs Holdings Group. Heirs Holdings remains steadfast in its advocacy on the global stage at the UNGA, as this platform offers Africa a vital opportunity to push for reforms in global governance structures, ensuring more equitable representation in key decision-making processes.