About the programme
The flagship TEF Entrepreneurship Programme selects African entrepreneurs with innovative, high-potential business ideas or young businesses. Selected applicants receive a business management training curriculum, self-paced modules, mentor pairing with a maximum of three mentees per mentor, coaching masterclasses, business plan support and non-returnable seed capital. Applications run through the TEFConnect platform each year and are reviewed by independent third-party firms.
Eligibility
- Be 18 years or older
- Be African and reside in Africa, planning to establish the business in Africa
- Have either a business idea or a business no older than 5 years
- Have never benefitted from a previous TEF programme
- Not have applied in the same application window of the same year
- Pass the business assessment test minimum score, plus application review, World-Check screening and physical verification
- Sign in to check these against your background.
What they look for
- Strength in business feasibility, market opportunity, financial understanding, scalability and leadership are considered
What you receive
- Non-returnable seed capital of USD 5,000 (per FAQ)
- Business management training
- Mentoring and coaching
- Business plan development support
- Professional networking and TEF alumni network access
- TEF enterprise development toolkit
What you will need
- Completed online application form on TEFConnect
- Government-issued ID
- High-resolution headshot
- Business plan and pitch video (investment readiness phase, later stage)Optional
How to apply
- Register and complete the application form on TEFConnect (www.TEFConnect.com) between 1 January and 1 March
- Four form sections: personal information, business idea and experience, business assessment test, declaration
- Due diligence, World-Check screening and physical verification
- Shortlisted applicants notified around 22 March and invited to onboarding
- Training, mentoring and investment readiness, including business plan and pitch video
- Seed capital disbursement and alumni onboarding
Applications are submitted on The Tony Elumelu Foundation’s own site. Open Doors helps you prepare; it is not the official application portal.
From people who applied
No notes yet.
Source and verification
- Official source
- Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme · Application
- Last checked
- 14 Nov 2026, read automatically from the official page
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