The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has appointed Senior Fellow, Tony Elumelu, CON, to the Private Capital Group for Africa (PCGA) Partners Forum.

The Partners Forum is comprised of several leaders in industry convened to provide expert advice to the US Government on the best strategies for engagement with Africa’s private sector, and to better align its private investment and development goals.

Following the appointment of several prominent US-based members to the Forum including Edward Mathias, Managing Director and Co-Founder of the Carlyle Group, and Thomas Barry, CEO and Founder, Zephyr Capital Management, USAID has named Mr.Elumelu as the Forum’s founding African member.In his statement accepting the appointment, Mr.Elumelu stated: “It is indeed an honour to work with the United States Government and other members of the Partners Forum. I am proud to be a part of a mission to change the way that Africa is perceived – from a charity case to a demonstrably economically vibrant continent offering the opportunity for private sector investment through partnerships with Africa’s own successful businessmen and women.”

As Chairman of Nigeria-based Heirs Holdings, an African proprietary investment company with a focus on key economic development sectors including financial services, resources real estate, and healthcare, Mr.Elumelu understands the continent’s investment environment and leadership priorities. He is also the founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.