*Africa’s Leading Entrepreneurship Philanthropy Catalyses Next Generation of African Entrepreneurs
*$5,000 non-refundable seed capital, world-class training, mentorship for Africa’s boldest founders
*24,000+ entrepreneurs funded, 2.5 million trained, 1.5 million jobs created, $4.2 billion in revenue generated since 2015
The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has opened applications for the 2026 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, calling ambitious young founders from all 54 African countries to apply now on TEFConnect.
Successful applicants receive US$5,000 in non-refundable seed capital, intensive business training, mentorship, and direct access to Africa’s largest entrepreneurship network.
Since 2015, the Programme has funded over 24,000 entrepreneurs, of which 9229 are from Nigeria, and have generated over USD $182,963,077 in revenue, proving that African entrepreneurs can transform the continent.
The Programme is also driving inclusive growth, with women now making up 46% of TEF entrepreneurs – the highest female participation rate recorded by a programme of this scale.
Speaking on the 2026 launch, TEF Founder and Heirs Holdings Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, said:
“Africa’s greatest asset is our people. Africa does not need aid; Africa needs investment, in infrastructure, in institutions, but most critically in our young.
“Through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, we show that when entrepreneurs are empowered, they create jobs, drive growth, and transform communities. Entrepreneurs are the future of Africa.”
Applications for the 2026 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme are open from 1 January to 1 March 2026 on www.TEFConnect.com.
TEF Impact
Click here for country-level data on young entrepreneurs supported through TEF’s funding, training, and mentorship in each African country. To explore TEF’s transformative impact across the continent, visit the Foundation’s Impact Page and Annual Reports. To hear directly from the entrepreneurs themselves, visit the TEF Success Stories page.
ABOUT TEF
The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is the leading philanthropy committed to catalysing youth entrepreneurship across Africa.
The Tony Elumelu Foundation, the foremost champion of entrepreneurship in Africa, is empowering a new generation of African entrepreneurs, driving poverty eradication, catalysing job creation across all 54 African countries, and ensuring inclusive economic empowerment. The Foundation’s mission is rooted in Africapitalism, which positions the private sector, and most importantly, entrepreneurs, as the catalyst for the social and economic development of the African continent.
Since our launch in 2010, TEF has empowered over 2.5 million young Africans with access to business management training on our proprietary digital hub, TEFConnect, and disbursed over US$100 million in seed capital to more than 24,000 selected entrepreneurs on the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme. Collectively, these entrepreneurs have generated $4.2 billion in revenue and created more than 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs. Through our support for African entrepreneurs, TEF has lifted 2.1 million people out of poverty, with 45% of supported entrepreneurs being African women.
