The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has officially launched the application process for its 2026 Entrepreneurship Programme, inviting ambitious young founders from all 54 African countries to compete for a spot in this transformative initiative.
The programme serves as a critical gateway for the next generation of African business leaders, offering successful applicants US$5,000 in non-refundable seed capital.
Beyond the financial injection, participants gain access to intensive business training, world-class mentorship, and a permanent connection to the continent’s largest and most active entrepreneurship network.
Since its inception in 2015, the programme has evolved into a formidable engine for continental economic growth, moving far beyond its original visionary concept.
The cumulative impact over the last decade is staggering, with over 24,000 entrepreneurs funded and 2.5 million Africans trained.
These efforts have directly generated more than 1.5 million jobs and contributed over US$4.2 billion in revenue to the African economy. Furthermore, the foundation has made significant strides in gender inclusivity, with women now representing 46% of its entrepreneurs—a record-breaking figure for an African development programme of this scale.
The foundation’s core philosophy, “Africapitalism,” advocates that the private sector is the most effective vehicle for long-term development and poverty eradication.
At the 2026 launch event, TEF Founder and Heirs Holdings Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, reiterated his firm stance against traditional aid, arguing instead for strategic investment in Africa’s youth.
“Africa’s greatest asset is our people,” Mr Elumelu stated. “Africa does not need aid; Africa needs investment, in infrastructure, in institutions, but most critically in our young.”
He further emphasized that when entrepreneurs are empowered, they “create jobs, drive growth, and transform communities.”.
The reach and sustainability of this “seed-to-scale” model are bolstered by a sophisticated network of global strategic partners, ranging from tech giants like Google to international organizations such as the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme.
These collaborations, which also include specialized agencies like UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited and the African Development Bank, provide the logistical and financial support necessary to reach entrepreneurs across diverse sectors and geographies.
As the application window remains open on the TEFConnect platform until 1 March 2026, the foundation is urging prospective founders to submit their plans early to participate in what Elumelu describes as the defining future of the African economy.
 has officially launched the application process for its 2026 Entrepreneurship Programme, inviting ambitious young founders from all 54 African countries to compete for a spot in this transformative initiative.){kind=link}