The President of the of Gabon, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, has conferred the nation’s top honour on one of Africa’s leading investors and philanthropists, Nigerian business tycoon, Tony Elumelu.
The Group Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation was awarded the Commander in the National Order of Gabonese Merit on Monday by Oligui Nguema who was sworn-in the central African country’s new president two days earlier.
The distinguished award recognises Elumelu’s enduring contribution to Africa’s economic development, particularly his impact on youth entrepreneurship and infrastructure growth in Gabon and across the continent, UBA said in a statement on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event held at the presidential palace in the capital, Libreville, Oligui Nguema praised Elumelu’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development in Africa.
“Tony Elumelu is not only a visionary entrepreneur but also a committed friend of our nation Gabon,” Oligui Nguema said. “Through his Foundation and the UBA Group, he has consistently shown that investing in Africa is not just good business – it is the key to our shared future. Today, we honour a man whose actions continue to empower young Africans and inspire nations.”
Acknowledging the recognition, Elumelu, who has made several high-level visits to Gabon in recent months, expressed deep gratitude and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the oil-rich country’s development drive.
“I am truly humbled by this honour. It is a reflection not just of my personal journey, but of a shared belief – that African-led solutions, African entrepreneurs, and African institutions will shape the future of this continent. Gabon holds enormous potential, and I am proud that the Tony Elumelu Foundation and UBA Group can play a role in unlocking it,” Elumelu said in the statement.
“This is more than a medal – it is a reminder of what we can achieve together as Africans. At UBA and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, we remain committed to building bridges, not just between nations, but between ambition and opportunity,” the UBA Group Chairman added.
UBA said the recognition comes at a critical moment for Gabon, as the country accelerates its economic recovery and prioritises inclusive growth under the new leadership.
Elumelu’s engagement focuses on two key pillars of infrastructure financing and youth entrepreneurship. The former is essential for long-term economic transformation while the latter championed through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, offers training, mentorship, and $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital to young African entrepreneurs including Gabonese each year.
“The award also highlights the strengthening of financial partnership between Gabon and the UBA, which has a strong presence across the continent and is a key driver of financial inclusion and development,” UBA said in the statement.
The elevation of the influential Nigerian entrepreneur to the Gabonese Hall of Fame comes five week and five days after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) appointed Elumelu to its newly created Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship and Growth.
IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva convened the council’s meeting on Thursday, March 26, saying it is part of the Fund’s efforts to help its 191 member countries create more conducive macroeconomic and financial conditions for strong and durable economic growth driven by productivity.
