Heirs Energies drives African entrepreneurship, invests $10 million in 2,000 startups

Heirs Energies, a Nigerian integrated energy company known for its oil and gas operations and domestic gas supply to power generation, is taking a bold step to shape Africa’s entrepreneurial future. In partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), the company has committed over $10 million to support 2,000 startups across the continent, extending both capital and mentorship to some of Africa’s most promising early-stage businesses.

Africa’s 3,200 entrepreneurs drive growth

The 2026 TEF cohort, unveiled in Abuja by Founder and Chairman Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, who also chairs Heirs Energies, brings together 3,200 entrepreneurs from all 54 African nations. Selected from more than 265,000 applicants, these entrepreneurs represent the continent’s growing appetite for business solutions that generate jobs and address local challenges. “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’ CEO, Osayande Igiehon, described the company’s approach as one that links energy delivery to economic growth. “Sustainable energy development must be matched by sustained investment in people and enterprise,” he said. By combining energy supply with targeted community investments, Heirs Energies aims to strengthen the regions where it operates while creating measurable economic impact.

Heirs Energies links energy with Africa’s enterprise growth

Operating in OML 17 in the Niger Delta, Heirs Energies has already empowered over 500 youths through skills acquisition and enterprise programs, supported more than 1,621 students with educational grants, and provided healthcare to over 18,000 people through medical outreach initiatives. Infrastructure development has also been a focus, with 135 community projects completed and several others underway. Beyond its host communities, Heirs Energies feeds gas into Nigeria’s domestic network, supporting more than 350MW of electricity generation and powering homes, schools, and industries.

In 2025, it supported 1,000 entrepreneurs through the TEF program, with 40 percent drawn from the Niger Delta, including over 150 from Rivers State. The 2026 program continues this focus, with half of the next 1,000 beneficiaries drawn from the same region. Women represent 48 percent of participants, highlighting commitment to inclusive growth. In a continent where youth unemployment and limited access to capital remain significant barriers, the partnership between Heirs Energies and TEF is helping turn ideas into tangible economic impact. By linking energy provision with enterprise development, Heirs Energies is not only powering industries but also nurturing the ambitions of Africa’s next generation of business leaders.