By Tony Emeka Nwosu
Tony O. Elumelu, C.F.R, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, has urged global financial and technology leaders to prioritize equitable access to artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure Africa fully participates in the next wave of global economic transformation.
Speaking during the Board of Changemakers: Financial Markets plenary at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute in Riyadh, Elumelu joined global banking and investment executives to discuss AI’s growing influence on financial markets and development trajectories.
The panel featured high-profile industry leaders including Tareq A. Al-Sadhan, Jane Fraser, Jenny Johnson, Kanetsugu Mike, Ronald O’Hanley, Makoto Takashima, Tan Su Shan, Sim Tshabalala, CS Venkatakrishnan, and Bill Winters.
Elumelu stressed that while some nations are focused on accelerating AI adoption, Africa’s priority is ensuring access and inclusivity, emphasizing that equitable entry into the AI revolution is essential to unlocking the continent’s economic potential.
“We must, as a global community, play our role in ensuring AI access and equity to catalyse development,” Elumelu stated. He called on investors and policymakers to “catalyse AI accessibility within their respective capital allocation and investment boardrooms to unlock global capital access for the African continent.”
Highlighting the risk of widening technological inequality, he emphasized that democratizing AI would help ensure no region or population is left behind as the world transitions to AI-driven growth.
“This is how we will co-create shared global prosperity,” he concluded.
The session reinforced Africa’s growing voice in global technology and investment conversations, aligning with broader initiatives aimed at positioning the continent as a competitive digital economy.
