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Tony Elumelu Foundation Launches 2026 Entrepreneurship Programme for Young Africans

Africa’s next big startups could start here. With $100M+ already invested, TEF’s 2026 programme is hunting for bold, transformative small business ideas—will yours make the cut?

The image shows an old map of Africa with the provinces of South Africa highlighted. The paper has...
The image shows an old map of Africa with the provinces of South Africa highlighted. The paper has text written on it, likely providing further information about the map.

Tony Elumelu Foundation Launches 2026 Entrepreneurship Programme for Young Africans

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has opened applications for its 2026 Entrepreneurship Programme. Young African entrepreneurs with innovative small business ideas can now apply for funding, training, and mentorship support.

Since its launch in 2010, TEF has trained over 2.5 million young Africans in business management. The programme has also disbursed more than $100 million in seed capital to 24,000 entrepreneurs across the continent. These businesses have generated $4.2 billion in revenue and created over 1.5 million jobs.

The 2026 programme is open to individuals aged 18 to 35 from any of Africa’s 54 countries. Applicants must have a business idea or venture no older than three years in sectors such as agribusiness, fintech, or fashion. They must also commit to launching or expanding their business in Africa. Successful candidates will receive US$5,000 in non-refundable seed capital. They will also join a 12-week structured business training course on TEFConnect. Mentorship from world-class business leaders and industry experts is included, along with access to a pan-African entrepreneurial network. Over 24,000 TEF alumni across all 54 African countries will provide additional support. TEF’s impact extends beyond funding, with 2.1 million people lifted out of poverty through its initiatives. Notably, 45% of the entrepreneurs supported by the foundation are African women.

The 2026 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme offers capital one login, training, and mentorship to young African entrepreneurs. Applications are now open, with the foundation continuing its mission to drive economic growth and job creation across the continent. Successful candidates will join a network of over 24,000 alumni from previous cohorts.

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