At a Glance

Program Name: Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme 2026.

Funding Type: Nondilutive, projectbased seed capital grant linked to an approved business plan and programme completion.

Funding Amount: Up to about USD 5,000 per selected entrepreneur, disbursed after training, documentation checks, and audit/verification.

Application Deadline: 1 March 2026, 11:59 PM WAT – applications submitted exclusively via TEFConnect.

Program Focus: Support for African entrepreneurs with viable, scalable, jobcreating business ideas or early?stage businesses (0–5 years) across all sectors, including AI enabled and green ventures.

Location: All 54 African countries – applicants must be African citizens or legal residents with businesses based and operating in Africa.

About the Program

The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme 2026 is a structured grant and capacity building initiative that trains, mentors, and funds early stage African entrepreneurs. It combines intensive online training, mentorship, and ecosystem access with non?refundable seed capital for entrepreneurs who complete all programme phases and pass due diligence.

Program Benefits

• Funding Support: Non dilutive seed capital of up to about USD 5,000, released only after satisfactory completion of training, submission and approval of business plan, financials, pitch video, and successful audit checks.
• Capacity Building: Mandatory online business training on TEFConnect covering entrepreneurship fundamentals and sector?specific content, with assignments and quizzes that must be completed on time.
• Mentorship & Ecosystem: Structured mentorship with experienced entrepreneurs and professionals, plus access to a pan African TEF network of alumni, partners, and visibility opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicant Profile: Must be at least 18 years old, an African citizen or legal resident, and must not have previously received TEF seed capital or funding from a TEF Partner Programme.
• Business Stage & Type: Must have a business idea or existing, for?profit business that is 0–5 years old, commercially oriented, and based/operating primarily in Africa in any sector (including technology, agriculture, manufacturing, creative, services, AI, or green businesses).
• Compliance: Must provide consistent, verifiable documentation (ID, business registration where applicable, tax and bank/KYC records) and agree to strict audit, verification, and programme Terms and Conditions.

Application Timeline

• Registration & Platform: Applications are submitted online only through the TEFConnect platform, where training and communications are also delivered.
• Applications Close: 1 March 2026 at 11:59 PM (WAT); after submission, shortlisted applicants move through training, mentorship, documentation review, and verification before any seed capital is disbursed.
• Programme Phases: The cycle typically runs over several months, covering application, screening, online training, mentorship, business plan and financials development, pitch submission, and final audit/approval for funding.

Apply Now

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