Nurturing Startups in Africa: The Tony Elumelu Foundation
Overview of the Tony
Elumelu Foundation (TEF)
The Tony Elumelu Foundation, established by Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist Tony Elumelu, is dedicated to empowering African entrepreneurs. The foundation’s flagship program, the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program (TEEP), is one of the largest philanthropic initiatives supporting African startups.

TEF's Approach
TEF adopts a comprehensive approach to empower startups across Africa:
Success Stories
TEF has catalyzed the growth of numerous startups across Africa. Two notable examples include:
Paystack, a Nigerian fintech startup founded by Shola Akinlade and Ezra Olubi, provides payment processing solutions for businesses in Africa. The company gained prominence and international recognition after participating in the TEF program. In October 2020, Paystack was acquired by Stripe, a global online payment processing company, for $200 million, marking a significant milestone for African startups.
Paystack(Nigeria)
Flare, a Kenyan healthcare technology startup, leverages the power of mobile technology to connect ambulance providers with patients in need of emergency medical services. The company's growth was accelerated through the TEF program, enabling it to expand its services and save lives by providing faster access to medical assistance.
Flare(Kenya)