The Tony Elumelu Foundation opened its 2026 Entrepreneurship Programme on 1 January 2026, with applications closing on 1 March 2026; that window has now closed. This is one of Africa’s most significant entrepreneurship funding initiatives. Since it launched in 2015, TEF has funded over 24,000 entrepreneurs, trained 2.5 million Africans, helped create more than 1.5 million jobs, and generated over $4.2 billion in revenue across the continent. This guide covers full eligibility, the six-phase selection process, and exactly how to apply once the next cycle opens.

About the Programme

Run entirely through TEFConnect, the Foundation’s digital learning and application platform, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is a pan-African initiative offering $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital, intensive business training, mentorship, and direct access to Africa’s largest entrepreneurship network. It’s open to entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries, spanning sectors including agriculture, technology, health, education, manufacturing, and fashion.

The Foundation was established as part of a 10-year, $100 million philanthropic commitment to identify, train, mentor, and fund African entrepreneurs, with the explicit goal of empowering the private sector to drive economic growth and poverty eradication across the continent. Given this scale of ambition and track record, being selected represents genuine access to one of Africa’s most established entrepreneurship ecosystems, not just a one-off cash disbursement.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application.
• Must be a citizen or legal resident of one of the 54 African countries.
• Eligible whether you have a strong business idea or an existing business; businesses older than 5 years are not eligible.
• Students, graduates, and working professionals may all apply, provided they meet the other eligibility criteria.
• Valid identification documents are required during the application process; a student ID may be used, provided all other requirements are met.
• A clear, well-articulated business concept or plan is expected, even if the business itself hasn’t launched yet.

Who’s Specifically Excluded

Worth knowing before you apply: current employees of the Tony Elumelu Foundation or its affiliate companies within the Heirs Holdings Group and UBA Group, and their immediate family members, are not eligible to apply, whether individually or as part of a team. This also extends to TEF Audit Partners and employees of companies involved in creating or administering the Programme, along with their immediate family members. This kind of specific conflict-of-interest exclusion is worth checking against your own circumstances before investing time in preparing an application.

The Six-Phase Process

1. Application: Submit your application on TEFConnect between 1 January and 1 March, completing the form and uploading required documents.

2. Online Training: Selected applicants complete structured business training modules hosted on TEFConnect, covering business planning, operations, finance, and marketing strategy.

3. Business Plan Development: Participants refine and strengthen their business plans as part of the training process.

4. Mentorship Matching: Accepted entrepreneurs are matched with experienced African and global business mentors.

5. Judging and Scoring: Selection for final funding is based on a combination of application scores, training performance, business plan quality, and pitching results, making this a multi-stage evaluation rather than a single decision point.

6. Funding Disbursement: Successful entrepreneurs receive their $5,000 seed capital via electronic transfer directly into their business bank account.

What Participants Gain

• Up to $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital.
• Twelve weeks of intensive, structured business management training.
• One-on-one mentorship from experienced African and global business leaders.
• Investment readiness coaching and pitch development support.
• Entry into the TEF Alumni network, spanning over 21,000 entrepreneurs across the continent.
• Exposure to additional opportunities and ecosystem partnerships hosted directly on TEFConnect beyond the core programme itself.

How to Apply Based on the Confirmed Process

1. Visit www.tefconnect.com directly; all applications, training, and updates are managed strictly through this platform.

2. Create your TEFConnect account and complete your applicant profile.

3. Submit a single, well-prepared application focused on your strongest business idea or existing business. Multiple applications may flag you as spam and could jeopardise your candidacy entirely rather than improving your odds.

4. Upload your valid identification and any other requested documents.

5. Submit before the stated deadline; late submissions have not been accepted.

No Payment Required

The application is completely free. TEF has explicitly warned applicants to be wary of scammers asking for application fees; no legitimate step in this process requires payment. Apply only through www.tefconnect.com, and treat any request for money as fraudulent, regardless of how official or convincing the claim might appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme 2026 still accepting applications?

No, the confirmed deadline was 1 March 2026. Watch TEFConnect for the announcement of the next cycle, since TEF has run this programme as a recurring annual initiative since 2015.

Do I need an existing business to apply?

No, both early-stage entrepreneurs with just a business idea and those with an existing business under five years old are eligible.

Can students apply?

Yes, provided they meet the other eligibility criteria, a student ID can be used as valid identification during the application process, so being a current student does not disqualify you from applying alongside graduates and working professionals.

Is there a fee to apply?

No, the application is completely free, and TEF has directly warned against scammers requesting application fees.

If I’m not selected, can I try again?

Yes. Unsuccessful applicants can still access general training resources and are welcome to reapply in future programme cycles.

What sectors does TEF fund?

A genuinely broad range, including agriculture, technology, health, education, manufacturing, fashion, and other sectors. The programme isn’t restricted to a narrow set of industries, giving entrepreneurs across a wide variety of business types a realistic path to apply.