We are The Leading Philanthropy Empowering Young Africans Across All 54 African Countries

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) was founded in 2010 by Tony O. Elumelu, C.O.N; An entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist who is passionate about Africa’s economic development.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation is the leading champion of entrepreneurship in Africa. Our objective is to empower women and men across our continent, catalysing economic growth, driving poverty eradication and ensuring job creation. We believe the private sector’s role is critical for Africa’s development and that the private sector must create both social and economic wealth.

Founded by African investor and philanthropist, Tony O. Elumelu, C.F.R, and representing his personal commitment to creating a new generation of entrepreneurs, through his investment company, Heirs Holdings, the Foundation is active in all 54 African countries.

Our mission is implemented through our programmes, research, communities, advocacy and convenings, including the annual TEF Forum, the largest gathering of entrepreneurs in Africa, and TEFConnect, Africa’s digital hub for entrepreneurs. The Foundation leverages its strong relationships in the public, private and development sectors to drive its mission of creating prosperity for all.

In 2015, the Foundation launched the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, a $100 million commitment by Tony Elumelu to empower 10,000 African entrepreneurs over 10 years. Building on the Programme’s success and its unique ability to identify, mentor and fund entrepreneurs across Africa, the Foundation is increasingly sharing its robust delivery platform and working in partnership with institutions such as United Nations Development Programme, the African Development Bank, the International Committee of the Red Cross, GIZ, and United Bank for Africa Plc, to create meaningful and permanent impact across Africa.

Thus far, the Tony Elumelu Foundation has trained, mentored, and funded over 15,847 young African entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries through its Entrepreneurship Programmes, and provides capacity-building support, advisory and market linkages to over 1 million Africans through its digital networking platform, TEFConnect.

MISSION & VISION

THE TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION BELIEVES THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR HOLDS THE KEY TO UNLOCKING AFRICA’S ECONOMIC POTENTIAL.​​

2010
TEF is FOUNDED
2011
Launch of the Elumelu Professionals Programme, an internship Programme for MBA students and graduates.
2011
Launch of the Tony & Awele Elumelu Prize, a programme focused on promoting academic excellence and entrepreneurship
2012
Provided seed funding for 20 tech businesses through CC Hub
2014
Launched the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, a $100 million commitment, to identify and empower 10,000 African entrepreneurs, create a million jobs, and add $10 billion in revenues to Africa’s economy over 10 years
2015
Released Unleashing African Entrepreneurs: Improving the Enabling Environment for Start-ups
2018
Partnered with like-minded organizations to fund 460 additional entrepreneurs

"As an entrepreneur myself, I understand what it feels like to yearn for a lifeline, to hope for a ‘big break’, to look forward to enjoying some luck."

TONY O. ELUMELU, C.F.R

MISSION & VISION

THE TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION BELIEVES THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR HOLDS THE KEY TO UNLOCKING AFRICA’S ECONOMIC POTENTIAL.​​

OUR VALUES

Execution
A burning desire to always see things through to completion in a timely, efficient and effective manner. We believe in hard work and seeing through ideas from conception all through to achieving excellent results.
Enterprise
Having the willingness and determination to do whatever it takes to get the job done. In a competitive business environment, what sets us apart is our individual and collective responsibility to take ownership of our deliverables and lead innovative initiatives.
Excellence
Delivering in an outstanding manner, consistently. Excellence is a mantra embedded in the heart of every employee. We go several steps beyond the norm to deliver measurable value to our stakeholders.
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2010
The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is Founded
2011
Launch of the Elumelu Professionals Programme, an internship Programme for MBA students and graduates.
2011
Launch of the Tony & Awele Elumelu Prize, a programme focused on promoting academic excellence and entrepreneurship
2012
Provided seed funding for 20 tech businesses through CC Hub.
2014
Launched the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, a $100 million commitment, to identify and empower 10,000 African entrepreneurs, create a million jobs, and add $10 billion in revenue to Africa’s economy over 10 years
2015
Released Unleashing African Entrepreneurs: Improving the Enabling Environment for Start-ups
2016
Partnered with like-minded organizations to fund 460 additional entrepreneurs
2017
founder, tony elumelu Receives Dwight D. Eisenhower Global Entrepreneurship Award
2018
TEF Launches the digital networking platform, TEFConnect, the largest digital network of African Entrepreneurs
2019
TEF and undp partner to empower an additional 100,000 young African entrepreneurs over the next 10 years with seed capital, business training and mentoring.
2020
The Tony Elumelu Foundation unveiled an upgraded and fully digitised TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, allowing instant feedback on entrepreneurs’ applications and end-to-end automated processes
2021
The Tony Elumelu Foundation appoints women in three senior executive roles, demonstrating leadership as a global champion for gender inclusion and equality

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

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