Heirs Energies drives African entrepreneurship, invests $10m in 2,000 startups
Heirs Energies has invested $10 million in 2,000 startups as part of its commitment to driving African entrepreneurship.
The company said: “At Heirs Energies, we believe that sustainable energy development must be matched by sustained investment in people and enterprise.
“Highlighting its objective of building people and creating value, it corroborated its Chairman, Chairman, Mr. Tony Elumelu, CFR, who has consistently emphasized that “Africa’s future will be built by Africans who create businesses, generate jobs and drive economic transformation across the continent.”
We are, therefore, pleased to share our continued partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), through which we have committed over $10 million to support 2,000 African entrepreneurs across two programme cycles, the company added.
Heirs Energies said: “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.
Our contribution is deliberate, the company stated, noting that:
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.
This builds on our 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.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Heirs Energies, Osayande (Osa) Igiehon, said: “Beyond our host communities, our gas supply into Nigeria’s domestic network enables over 350MW 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.
“We remain committed to delivering impact – within our communities, across Nigeria, and across the continent.”
