Awele Elumelu has encouraged young Africans to pursue excellence and global success.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Chairperson of Transcorp Hotels Plc, Avon Healthcare Limited and Heirs Insurance Brokers, Dr. Awele Elumelu, has called on young African entrepreneurs to believe in their potential, saying the continent is rich with untapped talent capable of achieving global success when supported with the right opportunities.
Speaking at an entrepreneurship event, Elumelu encouraged aspiring business leaders to remain resilient and pursue excellence, noting that Africa’s growing influence on the global stage demonstrates what is possible with determination, training and access to capital.
Drawing inspiration from the international success of African musicians, she recalled her family’s excitement when Beyoncé featured African artistes, including Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade and Shatta Wale, on one of her albums.
According to her, the collaboration showcased Africa’s immense creative potential and proved that homegrown talent can compete with the very best in the world.
“Our own homegrown African talent, sharing the stage with the biggest pop star in the world, is an amazing testament to the immense potential of African entrepreneurs individually and as a collective,” she said.
Elumelu stressed that the achievements of African music stars mirror the opportunities available across sectors such as agriculture, information and communications technology (ICT), fashion, healthcare and other industries.
“With the right push, the right resources and the right environment, young entrepreneurs can compete on the world stage,” she added.
She said the success stories reinforce the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s conviction that Africa is filled with talented individuals who only need support to unlock their full potential.
“This reinforces our belief at the Tony Elumelu Foundation that there are hidden gems in Africa who, with the right amount of support, training and seed capital, can become global trailblazers in their chosen fields,” she said.
Elumelu also urged young Africans not to be discouraged by obstacles, emphasizing that discipline, resilience and consistency are essential ingredients for success.
“Young Africans, there is excellence in you. You owe it to yourselves, your families, your communities and Africa to put in the hard work, build resilience and keep at it until you succeed. The world awaits you,” she said.
Her remarks reflect the mission of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which continues to empower African entrepreneurs through entrepreneurship training, mentorship, seed funding and business support aimed at driving economic transformation across the continent.
