Tony Elumelu & Aliko Dangote host U.S. Congressional Members to discuss Cross-Border Investment Opportunities

Tony Elumelu and Aliko Dangote yesterday hosted a bi-partisan delegation of U.S Congressional members to a US-Nigera business luncheon where they discussed cross-border investment opportunities between the two countries as well as important business enhancing policies to enable private sector growth.

The delegation was led by Senator Chris Coons and included Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, Senator Gary Peters, Senator Michael Bennet, Rep. Terri Sewell, Rep Lisa Blunt Rochester, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Rep Charlie Dent.

According to Tony Elumelu, “The US & Nigeria share a lot in common: We are both Federal Republics. We are multi-faith, multi-ethnic, liberal, progressive, and full of entrepreneurial drive and energy. Our youth are multitalented and some of the most gifted in the world. Here at home, our young entrepreneurs are finding solutions to challenges not just facing Africa, but the entire world. I believe in business and entrepreneurship, and that the future of our continent to a large extent, lies in the hands of our young entrepreneurs.”

According to Senator Coons at the evening reception, Nigerians in the diaspora in the United States are the most numerous, most educated and most successful.

Tony Elumelu adds that

“The American delegation visited Nigeria not just to meet the business titans, but to feel the entrepreneurial zeal and pulse of our country, to engage with the young leaders of Nigeria and other creative young entrepreneurs transforming our country and continent, one idea at a time. And I agree also with the Senator’s sentiment that Nigeria is a young democracy and the challenges we face now, America has faced in the past. It takes time to get it completely right. Nigeria and the United States share similar values, aspire to similar dreams, and strive through similar challenges. Working together can empower our vibrant and hopeful young people whose ideas and creative solutions will help make our world a better place. This was the single most resounding takeaway message for the US delegation. Our youth demography is like no other – over 30 million banked, mobile and plugged in, forming one of the most desirable and creative clusters of young people in the world. But we owe these young people sustained support and access to opportunities.”

See photos from the evening below.

Photo Credit: Instagram.com/TonyElumelu