The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has made a $150,000 donation to the start-up costs of the African Union Foundation(AUF), a body established by  the African Union (AU) Assembly in May 2013 to  finance African priorities through voluntary contributions.

The mission of the AUF is to “mobilise resources in support of the AU’s vision of an integrated, people-centred and prosperous Africa , at peace with itself and taking its rightful place in the world.”

To accomplish this mission, the Foundation will focus on five key programme areas in its first five years including: skills and human resource development; women’s empowerment and gender equality; regional integration; youth development and entrepreneurship; advocacy and support for the AU.

A statement from the TEF its founder, Mr. Tony Elemelu,  made the donation at the  AUF promoters’ inaugural meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The donation was the first contribution made to the ambitious initiative. Also, a pledge of $100,000 was made by the Government of Jamaica, represented by Ambassador Carlton Masters.
Speaking on his invitation to the AUF Council, Elumelu said: “I am honoured to be a part of the chairperson’s vision for an emergent Africa developed by Africans, and look forward to participating in this effort to change the paradigm of African development.”

Selection for membership of the AUF’s Governing Council was based on clear commitment to African development and philanthropy, the highest caliber of integrity, and prominence in the sectors and geographies they represent.

The Foundation’s governing Council is still formalising its membership, those already confirmed  include: Founder, Dr. Dlamini Zuma,  on behalf of the AU Commission; former Prime Minister of Mozambique, Ms. Luisa Diogo; former President of Mali, Alpha Konare; former CEO of the Ethiopian Commodities Exchange, Dr. Eleni Gabre-Madhin; CEO of Peotonia Holdings, Ms. Cheryl Carolus;
Others are: President of Egypt Business Women’s Association, Dr. Asmany Asfour, Mr. former Prime Minister of Jamaica, James Patterson, , Chairperson of Deloitte Southern Africa, Ms. Ntombifuthi Mtoba;  CEO of AGH Capital Group, Dr. Charles Okeahalam; and  Elumelu, who is also  the  chairman of Heirs Holdings.

According to Zuma,  “It is time for Africa to mobilise our own resources in support of our development and take charge of our own destiny.”
She said the foundation will strive to more deeply engage Africa’s private sector, African individuals and communities, and leading African philanthropists to generate resources and provide valuable insight on ways in which their success can accelerate Africa ’s