At the forefront of Africa’s economic empowerment movement is Somachi Chris-Asoluka, the dynamic Chief Executive Officer of the Tony Elumelu Foundation. A visionary leader with a profound commitment to nurturing young talent, she is the driving force behind one of the continent’s most influential philanthropic organisations dedicated to entrepreneurship.
In her previous role as Director of Partnerships and Communications, and now as CEO, Somachi masterfully guides the foundation’s mission to identify, train, mentor, and fund the next generation of African business leaders. Her work involves building powerful alliances with global institutions such as the European Union, the United Nations, and the African Development Bank, ensuring that small businesses receive not just funding but also the strategic support they need to thrive.
The numbers speak volumes: since its launch in 2015, the foundation’s programme has trained over 1.5 million Africans on its digital platform, TEFConnect, and has disbursed nearly $100 million in direct funding to 18,000 entrepreneurs. This incredible investment has catalysed the creation of more than 400,000 jobs, a testament to the tangible impact of Somachi’s strategic leadership.
An academic high-flyer, she graduated summa cum laude in Economics and was honoured with the “Adam Smith” award for top performance. She went on to earn a Master’s degree in International and Development Economics from Yale University. Her professional stature is recognised through memberships in prestigious organisations like the Financial Women’s Association in San Francisco and her role as a fellow of the Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa, which spotlights the continent’s most promising female leaders.
Somachi Chris-Asoluka is more than an executive; she is a cultivator of potential, a builder of bridges, and a vital architect of Africa’s prosperous and self-reliant future.
