Tony Elumelu Honoured with Gabon’s Highest Civilian Award for Championing African Development

President Brice Nguema of Gabon has bestowed the nation’s highest civilian honour — Commander in the National Order of Gabonese Merit — on Tony Elumelu, Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

The award, presented during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Libreville on Monday, celebrates Elumelu’s transformative contributions to Africa’s economic advancement, particularly his influence on youth entrepreneurship and infrastructure development both in Gabon and across the continent.

“Tony Elumelu is not only a visionary entrepreneur but also a committed friend of our nation,” President Nguema remarked. “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.”

Elumelu, visibly moved by the accolade, expressed gratitude while reaffirming his dedication to Africa-led growth. “I am truly humbled by this honour. It is a reflection not just of my journey, but of a shared belief — that African-led solutions, African entrepreneurs, and African institutions will shape the future of this continent,” he said.

Highlighting Gabon’s untapped potential, he added: “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.”

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The award comes at a pivotal time as Gabon intensifies efforts to stimulate economic recovery and foster inclusive growth under President Nguema’s leadership.

According to a statement from UBA, Elumelu’s recognition underscores two strategic areas of engagement: infrastructure financing, critical for long-term transformation, and youth entrepreneurship. Through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, young entrepreneurs in Gabon and across Africa receive training, mentorship, and non-refundable seed capital of $5,000 annually.