Heirs Energies drives African entrepreneurship, invests $10 million in 2,000 startups
Partnership with Tony Elumelu Foundation drives enterprise growth and job creation across Africa
Heirs Energies is supporting the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) 2026 cohort of 3,200 African entrepreneurs, reinforcing efforts to drive enterprise growth and job creation across the continent.
The entrepreneurs, drawn from all 54 African countries, were selected from more than 265,000 applicants and unveiled in Abuja on Sunday by TEF Founder and Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu.
“The future of Africa will be built by Africans who create businesses, generate jobs and solve the challenges of our continent,” Elumelu said. “Empowering entrepreneurs remains the most sustainable path to economic transformation.”
Heirs Energies said its support forms part of a broader strategy to link energy development with economic expansion, particularly in regions where access to capital, infrastructure and opportunity remains uneven.
Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer Osayande Igiehon said the company is positioning its operations to deliver both energy supply and long-term economic value.
“Sustainable energy development must be matched by sustained investment in people and enterprise,” Igiehon said. “Our partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation reflects a deliberate effort to expand opportunity while strengthening the communities in which we operate.”
Operating in OML 17 in the Niger Delta, Heirs Energies continues to implement targeted interventions across enterprise development, education, healthcare and infrastructure.
To date, the company has achieved the following:
- Empowered over 500 youths through skills acquisition and enterprise development programmes
- Supported more than 1,621 students through educational grants
- Reached over 18,000 people through medical outreach programmes
- Delivered more than 135 community infrastructure projects, with additional initiatives at advanced stages of completion
Beyond its host communities, Heirs Energies supplies gas into Nigeria’s domestic network, enabling over 350 MW of electricity generation. This supports homes, schools and industries while contributing to broader economic activity.
Through its partnership with TEF, Heirs Energies has committed over $10 million to support 2,000 African entrepreneurs across two programme cycles.
In 2025, the company supported 1,000 entrepreneurs, with 40% coming from the Niger Delta, including more than 150 from Rivers State. In 2026, it is supporting another 1,000 entrepreneurs, with 50% drawn from the Niger Delta, deepening its focus on its host communities.
Women account for 48% of beneficiaries, highlighting a strong commitment to inclusive growth.
Within Nigeria, the programme’s impact is concentrated in the Niger Delta, particularly in Rivers State and surrounding communities, while also extending across the country and into other African markets.
Across the continent, youth unemployment and limited access to financing continue to constrain business growth despite rising entrepreneurial activity. Programmes such as TEF play a critical role in bridging this gap by combining capital with mentorship and training.
Heirs Energies said its ongoing collaboration with the Tony Elumelu Foundation reflects a shared commitment to enterprise development, job creation and broader economic participation across Africa.
