The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has once again opened applications for its flagship 2026 Entrepreneurship Programme; an initiative that continues to transform Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape by empowering ambitious founders with training, mentorship, and non-refundable seed funding.

If you are an African entrepreneur with a scalable business idea or an early-stage venture, this programme could be a game changer for your growth and impact.

Founded in 2010 by Nigerian entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, the Tony Elumelu Foundation is dedicated to driving economic development in Africa through private-sector-led solutions.

The Foundation’s mission is rooted in Africapitalism, a philosophy that places entrepreneurs at the center of Africa’s social and economic transformation.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation

In 2015, TEF launched its flagship initiative—the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme—as a $100 million commitment to identify, mentor, train, and fund African entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries. Originally designed as a 10-year initiative to empower 10,000 founders, the programme has far exceeded its initial targets and continues to scale generation after generation of African business leaders.

What the Programme Offers

Selected entrepreneurs in the TEF 2026 cohort will receive:

• $5,000 non-refundable seed capital to launch or grow their businesses.

• World-class business training delivered through TEF’s digital platform, TEF connect

• One-on-one mentorship from industry experts.

• Access to global networks and investment opportunities to scale their ventures.

This comprehensive support plays a crucial role in helping entrepreneurs build sustainable, profitable businesses that can compete in local and global markets.

Since its launch, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme has achieved remarkable results:

• Over 24,000 African entrepreneurs empowered through funding, training, and mentorship since 2015.

• More than $115 million in non-refundable seed grants disbursed directly to African founders.

• 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs created by TEF-supported businesses.

• Over $4.2 billion in revenue generated by these entrepreneurs.

• More than 2 million Africans lifted out of poverty through business empowerment.

These numbers highlight the programme’s role as one of the most impactful entrepreneurship initiatives on the continent, building not just business growth but meaningful socioeconomic change.

How to Apply

Applications for the TEF 2026 Entrepreneurship Programme are now open to African citizens with scalable business ideas or early-stage ventures.

Interested applicants should visit the official TEF platform https://tefconnect.com/ and submit their profiles before the deadline.

Whether you’re launching a startup or scaling an existing business, this opportunity could provide the support and exposure you need to accelerate your entrepreneurial journey.