In a significant development for global economic cooperation, Nigerian businessman and United Bank for Africa Chairman Tony Elumelu has been appointed co-chair of the B20 India Action Council, which will focus on African economic integration.
This announcement was made ahead of the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, where Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been invited as a special guest.
The G20, comprised of the world’s 20 largest economies, is pivotal in shaping global economic policies.
Elumelu, Africa’s powerhouse executive renowned as one of Nigeria’s richest men, joins a prestigious group of 38 private sector leaders accompanying Tinubu to the Nigeria-India presidential roundtable and conference during the G20 summit.
The roundtable event, organized by the Nigerian High Commission in India in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Nigeria-India Business Council (NIBC), will feature President Tinubu as a keynote speaker. This platform will facilitate discussions on key economic issues and foster business ties between the two nations.
The B20, established in 2010, is a prominent G20 engagement group involving leading global companies and business organizations. Its primary mission is to advocate for business perspectives on global economic and trade governance. The B20 India Action Council, co-chaired by Elumelu, aims to bolster Africa’s economic integration efforts.
A statement on the B20 India website emphasized the importance of supporting African economic integration, highlighting the benefits it could bring to the entire continent and beyond. By promoting business engagement in Africa, international cooperation in this endeavor seeks to create an enabling environment for inclusive growth.
Elumelu shares the co-chair position with prominent business figures, including Sunil Bharti Mittal, the majority shareholder of Airtel Africa and founder of Bharti Enterprises in India; Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu from Ethiopia; Patricia Nzolantima from the Democratic Republic of Congo; and Rebecca Enonchong from Cameroon, among others.
This appointment signifies Nigeria’s commitment to fostering economic ties with India and advancing the economic integration of African nations. It also underscores the influential role of private sector leaders such as Elumelu in shaping the global economic agenda.
As the G20 summit unfolds in New Delhi, the world will closely watch the outcomes of these critical discussions on international economic cooperation.
