DYNAMIC DUO FIVE AFRICAN POWER COUPLES: CHANGING LIVES AND SHAPING THE FUTURE By Raine St.Claire
T
he SAfrican continent has gained recognition for its talented innovators, influential figures, and as a home to dynamic power couples who are achieving remarkable accomplishments in their respective fields. In this article, we introduce five dynamic African power couples who have not only achieved success in their careers but have also dedicated themselves to philanthropic endeavours, uplifting and empowering individuals and communities across Africa. Halima Dangote and Suleiman Sani Bello Suleiman Bello and Halima Dangote are known as Nigeria’s most cherished power couple. Halima (40) with an estimated net worth of N500-million, is the daughter of Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest man. Despite their extravagant wedding in 2008, the couple and their two daughters intentionally maintain a private lifestyle. Halima started her career as an Analyst at KPMG. As the current Executive Director of Commercial Operations at Dangote Group and a board member of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, her commitment extends to fostering economic growth in Nigeria, advocating for women’s empowerment and increasing female representation on corporate boards in Nigeria and Africa. Suleiman, the son of multi-millionaire Sani Bello, holds the position of Executive Director at Equatel Telecoms.
With extensive experience in IT & Telecoms, Oil and Gas (Downstream and Upstream), Power and Energy, including hydro power generation, Aviation, logistics, and the Marine sector, he also serves as a Director on various boards. He is a respected member of the British Computer Society (BCS) in the UK and a member of the Nigerian Polo Association.
Tony and Awele Elumelu Tony Elumelu (60), a Nigerian billionaire, economist, and philanthropist, is widely recognised as a Nigerian and African banking and finance sector guru. He started his career in the late ‘80s as an ambitious copier salesman and made history as the youngest bank CEO in Nigeria at the age of 34. The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), a prominent philanthropic initiative, reflects Tony’s belief in the significance of young entrepreneurs and their determination to uplift Africa from poverty. The TEF empowers entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries with a $100-million programme to create one million jobs in a decade. Despite
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the challenge of receiving thousands of applications, so far 7 520 entrepreneurs, with 68% being female have been accepted. Awele (59), is an accomplished, beautiful and sophisticated Nigerian business magnate and medical doctor who serves as the African Ambassador for Gavi. She champions African immunisation drives, quality healthcare in Nigeria and is the recipient of the distinguished Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria As the Founder and CEO of Avon Medical, she is a prominent advocate for universal healthcare in Africa, and serves on the Yale Institute for Global Health Advisory Board and is equally passionate about the work of the TEF. Known for her unwavering commitment to privacy, Tony openly attributes Awele as his greatest inspiration. In 2020, TIME recognised Tony as one of Africa’s leading investors and philanthropists, estimating his wealth at $1.98-billion. In August 2023, Tony earned N26-billion & Awele N4-billion from investments in Transcorp Group across Hospitality, Power, and Oil & Gas sectors.
