By Izuchukwu Mayor, Lagos
At Heirs Energies says it has committed over $10 million to support 2,000 African entrepreneurs across two programme cycles, which is channeled through continued partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF).
It noted that the support stems from the indigenous oil firm’s
believe that sustainable energy development must be matched by sustained investment in people and enterprise.
In a statement, it quoted the company’s Chairman, Tony Elumelu, as consistently emphasizing that: “Africa’s future will be built by Africans who create businesses, generate jobs and drive economic transformation across the continent.”
“This year, as TEF unveiled its 2026 cohort of 3,200 entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries, we are proud to be part of a platform that is catalysing business creation, job growth, and economic inclusion at scale,” it said.
Some of its contribution include:
- In 2025, we supported 1,000 entrepreneurs, with 40% from the Niger Delta, including significant participation from our host communities.
- In 2026, we are supporting another 1,000 entrepreneurs, with 50% from the Niger Delta, deepening our focus on the region where we operate.
- Importantly, 48% of beneficiaries are women, reflecting our commitment to inclusive growth.
We recognise that Africa’s energy future and its economic future are deeply interconnected. By supporting entrepreneurs, we are contributing to job creation, stronger local economies, and more resilient communities.
These, it added, builds on its broader impact across our operations in OML 17, where we continue to invest in long-term community development:
- Over 500 youths empowered through skills acquisition and enterprise development
- Over 1,621 students supported through educational grants
- More than 18,000 people reached through medical outreach programmes
- Over 135 community infrastructure projects delivered, spanning schools, healthcare, electrification, access roads and water systems.
Beyond its host communities, Heirs Energies informed that its gas supply into Nigeria’s domestic network enables over 350 megawatts (MW) of electricity generation, powering homes, schools and industries, and supporting economic activity at scale.
“For us, this is not philanthropy – it is a core part of how we operate.
“We recognise that Africa’s energy future and its economic future are deeply interconnected. By supporting entrepreneurs, we are contributing to job creation, stronger local economies, and more resilient communities,” it concluded.
