Renowned businessman and philanthropist Tony Elumelu has called on leaders and successful individuals to help create a more equitable society by providing opportunities for young African entrepreneurs.
Speaking at the Legacy Builders Palm Beach Conference in Florida, Elumelu emphasised the need to “democratise luck” and make success more accessible to all.
Elumelu, who is the founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, shared his personal story of rising from humble beginnings to become one of Africa’s most successful entrepreneurs.
He attributed his success to a combination of luck, hard work, and opportunity, and expressed his desire to extend similar opportunities to young Africans.
Through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Elumelu has committed $100 million to supporting African entrepreneurs over 10 years.
The foundation has already granted 2.5 million Africans access to training, lifted over 2 million individuals out of poverty, and disbursed over $100 million in direct funding to over 21,000 beneficiaries.
Elumelu urged the audience to join him in his mission to democratise luck and create a future where every African can dream and achieve.
He emphasised the importance of mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and creating networks that support and uplift young entrepreneurs.
“Africa will not rise by chance—it will rise because of deliberate action, because of people who refuse to accept the status quo and choose instead to create the future we deserve,” Elumelu said.
The Tony Elumelu Foundation has partnered with organizations such as the EU, UN, and Red Cross to amplify its impact, and Elumelu invited the audience to explore how they can be part of the mission to drive meaningful and sustainable impact in Africa.