Nigerian business mogul Tony Elumelu has once again put Africa in the spotlight as the world’s top investment destination, stressing its high return on investment (ROI) and vast opportunities across key sectors.
Speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai, Elumelu, who has long promoted Afro-capitalism, the idea that Africa’s private sector must drive economic transformation, noted that Africa’s biggest asset is its people.
With a median age of just 19 and 65% of the population under 30, he described this youthful demographic as “a goldmine for investment, innovation, and economic growth.”
“As an investor with a diversified portfolio across four continents, I can confidently say that no other region offers the kind of ROI that Africa does,” Elumelu stated.
“Take our Heirs_Holdings Group, for example. We have the capacity to generate 2,000MW of electricity daily, and today, with available capacity of circa 1000MWs-That’s transformative impact and significant value creation on a continent where energy access remains a key challenge,” he said.
Elumelu pointed out that Africa’s struggles with infrastructure, energy, and transportation aren’t just problems—they’re golden opportunities. “Every challenge in Africa is an investment opportunity,” he said, flipping the script on what many see as setbacks.
“The key is identifying the gaps and structuring your approach to mitigate risks. That’s where the competitive edge lies.”
He urged business leaders to take advantage of the continent’s rapid urbanization, expanding markets, and youthful workforce to drive economic transformation.
“The returns are undeniable, the opportunities are limitless, and the future is ours to shape,” he concluded. “Let’s build a prosperous, self-sustaining Africa together.”
