Elumelu calls for stronger partnerships to grow African agriculture
Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, has called on African governments to work closely with the private sector to transform rural economies. Speaking at the IFAD Governing Council in Rome, he highlighted the need for electricity access, blended finance, and business education to make agriculture more appealing for Africa’s youth. Tony Elumelu also emphasized the importance of supporting women in agribusiness and removing barriers that hinder small businesses. He stressed that collaboration is essential to drive food security and economic development across the continent.
TLDR
- Tony Elumelu urged greater public-private collaboration to boost Africa’s rural economies and agriculture.
- He identified electricity access, blended finance, and business education as key pillars for making agriculture attractive to young people.
- 21% of the 24,000 entrepreneurs empowered by the Tony Elumelu Foundation are in agribusiness, with women leading 55% of these ventures.
- These agribusiness ventures have created about 480,000 jobs across Africa.
- Tony Elumelu called for the removal of restrictive regulations and advocated for blended finance to help small businesses overcome traditional banking barriers.
