Nigerian energy company Heirs Energies has announced a $10 million investment to support 2,000 African entrepreneurs through its partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), reinforcing its commitment to enterprise development and economic empowerment across the continent.
The investment will benefit the 2026 cohort of TEF, which includes 3,200 entrepreneurs selected from over 265,000 applicants across Africa’s 54 countries. The scale of applications underscores both the growing entrepreneurial activity on the continent and the rising demand for early-stage capital and business support.
“The future of Africa will be built by Africans who create businesses, generate jobs and solve the challenges of our continent,” said Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, Founder and Chairman of TEF.
Speaking at the unveiling in Abuja, Osayande Igiehon, CEO of Heirs Energies, highlighted the company’s dual focus on energy development and economic value creation.
“Sustainable energy development must be matched by sustained investment in people and enterprise,” he said.
“Our partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation reflects a deliberate effort to expand opportunity while strengthening the communities in which we operate.”
Heirs Energies operates primarily in OML 17 in the Niger Delta, delivering interventions across enterprise development, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. To date, the company has empowered over 500 youths through skills and enterprise programs, supported more than 1,600 students through educational grants, reached over 18,000 people via medical outreach, and delivered more than 135 community infrastructure projects.
In addition, the company supplies gas to Nigeria’s domestic network, enabling over 350MW of electricity generation, which powers homes, schools, and industries, contributing to broader economic activity.
This latest $10 million commitment will fund two program cycles, with 1,000 entrepreneurs supported in 2025 and another 1,000 in 2026.
Notably, 50% of the 2026 beneficiaries will be from the Niger Delta, deepening the company’s impact in its host communities. Women represent 48% of the beneficiaries, reflecting a strong emphasis on inclusive growth.
