Applications are officially open for the 2026 edition of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, a flagship initiative dedicated to nurturing and funding African entrepreneurs. Since marking a decade of impact in 2020, the Tony Elumelu Foundation has continued to support thousands of innovators across the continent by providing the tools, knowledge, and capital needed to build sustainable businesses.

The programme is open to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs from all African countries, regardless of sector. Whether you are developing a new business idea or running a young enterprise with growth potential, this opportunity is designed to help you turn ambition into impact. Selected participants will benefit from intensive business training, personalised mentorship, access to a powerful global network, and non-refundable seed funding of up to five thousand US dollars.

The Entrepreneurship Programme seeks individuals with strong business ideas or early-stage ventures that demonstrate the ability to scale and contribute to economic development. The training curriculum is carefully designed to equip participants with practical skills required to start, manage, and expand businesses in the African context. Emphasis is placed on hands-on, adaptive learning that remains valuable long after the programme ends.

Once applications are submitted, candidates who meet the required assessment standards will be admitted into the programme and enrolled in the Foundation’s Business Management Training. Those who are not selected at this stage will still have access to general business training through TEFConnect and may apply again for future opportunities. All successful applicants will undergo a verification and onboarding process, which includes the submission of documents to confirm identity and the status of the business or idea. Failure to meet verification requirements will result in removal from the programme.

Participants are required to personally complete all training activities and assessments, as delegation to partners is not permitted. However, knowledge gained may be shared internally to strengthen the business. Throughout the training period, participants’ progress will be closely monitored, and the programme will be delivered in English, French, Portuguese, and Arabic. At the end of the training phase, participants will be evaluated, and only the highest-performing individuals will advance to the business plan development stage.

Eligible participants will be provided with a business plan template and required to submit a complete plan within the specified timeframe. These plans will be reviewed based on feasibility, sustainability, and overall business potential. Top candidates from this stage will be invited to take part in a pitching phase, where they will present their ideas to a panel of judges or submit recorded pitch presentations for assessment.

Entrepreneurs who excel during the pitching stage will be selected to receive seed capital, which will be disbursed directly into their registered business bank accounts via electronic transfer. While the funding can be up to five thousand US dollars, applicable banking charges may apply. Entrepreneurs funded through partner organisations will receive support in line with partner-specific commitments, which will be communicated accordingly.

This programme represents a unique opportunity for African entrepreneurs ready to learn, grow, and scale their businesses with the support of one of the continent’s most respected entrepreneurship foundations. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply and take the first step toward building businesses that transform communities and economies across Africa.

Scroll down for more information and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity