The Founder, The Tony Elumelu Foundation and Group. Chairman, United Bank of Africa, Tony Elumelu, has stated that Africa needs to be a significant player in international climate discussions.
He revealed this to former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during a discussion about “Taking Action Together for the Most Vulnerable on the Climate-Health Nexus” at the ongoing COP28 conference in Dubai.
He asserted that since Africa is the future, it must be heard. Although the continent has contributed the least to climate change, he pointed out that it still needs attention because of the effects it is currently experiencing.
“Tackling climate change is the most important challenge of our time. There is no denying the urgency. It is imperative that African voices and the continent itself take center stage in international climate discussions as engaged participants rather than passive observers.
“Africa is disproportionately affected by climate change and bears the least responsibility for it. I’m making an investment in a new wave of environmentally conscious business owners, and together we’re reaching out to other people to share the infrastructure and platform we’ve built to connect with business owners throughout Africa.
Elumelu discussed during his speech how his foundation’s ten-year, $100 million entrepreneurship program has attempted to address climate change and promote wider wealth creation throughout Africa through its infrastructure and experience.
Additionally, TEF and the United Bank for Africa organized a high-level meeting at COP28 that brought together important figures from the Americas, Europe, and the Gulf as well as Africans.
Speakers included the Director General, World Trade Organization, Dr Okonjo Iweala; Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, United Nations Development Program, Ahunna Eziakonwa; CEO, United Nations Children’s Fund Generation Unlimited, Kevin Frey, and more.
World Trade Organization Director-General Dr. Okonjo Iweala said at the TEF #COP28, “I am proud of what my brother, Tony Elumelu, has done in empowering and inspiring so many young entrepreneurs. The future is green; we don’t have an option. Two characteristics define the growth of the future: it must be inclusive and green. I have a strong interest in partnerships with organizations like TEF.”
“The reason why UNDP associated itself with the Tony Elumelu Foundation years ago is because of the leadership and courage of the Foundation to trust and invest in young Africans. It was among the first companies to act in that capacity,” stated the Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa at UNDP, Ahunna Eziakonw.
