The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Africa’s foremost advocate for entrepreneurship, has officially opened applications for its 2025 Entrepreneurship Programmes! This is an incredible opportunity for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs across Africa to access world-class training, expert mentoring, and non-refundable seed capital to bring their business ideas to life or scale existing ventures.
Programmes Open for Application
1. Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme
This flagship programme is open to all African entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas or existing businesses not older than five years. This year, there’s a special focus on ventures leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and green initiatives. To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years old.
2. IYBA-WE4A Entrepreneurship Programme
Launched in partnership with the European Union (EU) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), this programme targets women entrepreneurs with green business ideas or existing green businesses in Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, and Togo. Eligible businesses must not exceed five years in operation, and applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Application Details
- Platform: Submit your application via TEF’s proprietary digital hub, TEFConnect.
- Application Period: January 1, 2025 – March 1, 2025. Early submission is encouraged to avoid last-minute challenges.
- Eligibility: Open to African entrepreneurs aged 18 or older with scalable business ideas or businesses not older than five years.
Why Apply?
The Tony Elumelu Foundation offers much more than funding. By participating in the programme, you gain access to:
- Comprehensive Training: Learn how to build and grow a successful business.
- Expert Mentoring: Gain insights and guidance from top industry leaders.
- Non-Refundable Seed Capital: Receive funding to kick-start or scale your business.
Learn More About TEF’s Transformative Work
- Impact Report: Dive into the achievements and contributions of TEF to Africa’s economic growth.
- Success Stories: Be inspired by the journeys of other African entrepreneurs who have thrived with TEF’s support.
- Annual Reports: Explore the strategies driving the Foundation’s impactful work.
About the Tony Elumelu Foundation
Founded in 2010, the Tony Elumelu Foundation is Africa’s leading philanthropy empowering entrepreneurs as the driving force for social and economic transformation. Guided by its mission of Africapitalism, TEF believes that the private sector, particularly entrepreneurs, holds the key to eradicating poverty and creating jobs across the continent.
Since 2015, TEF has trained over 2.5 million young Africans through its digital hub, TEFConnect, and disbursed over $100 million in direct funding to 21,000 entrepreneurs. These efforts have generated more than 800,000 jobs and over $4.2 billion in revenue, cementing TEF’s role in driving Africa’s economic transformation.
Take the First Step Today!
Seize this opportunity to transform your business dreams into reality. Visit TEFConnect to apply now.
Let’s build the future of Africa, one entrepreneur at a time!
