The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Africa’s leading champion of entrepreneurship, has announced the commencement of applications for its 2025 Entrepreneurship Programmes. Aspiring and existing entrepreneurs from across Africa are invited to apply for an opportunity to receive world-class training, expert mentoring, and non-refundable seed capital funding to scale their businesses.
Programmes Open for Application:
- TEF Entrepreneurship Programme: This flagship programme is open to all entrepreneurs across Africa with innovative business ideas or existing businesses not older than five years. This year, there is a special emphasis on businesses leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and green initiatives. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- IYBA-WE4A Entrepreneurship Programme: Launched in partnership with the European Union (EU) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), this programme is exclusively for women entrepreneurs with green business ideas or existing green businesses in Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, and Togo. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, with businesses not exceeding five years in operation.
- Aguka Ideation Programme: In partnership with UNDP Rwanda and the Rwandan Ministry of Youths and Arts, this programme supports young Rwandan entrepreneurs between 18-30 with business ideas, providing seed capital of $3,000 to nurture and develop innovative concepts into viable enterprises.
Application Details:
- Platform: Applications are to be submitted through TEF’s proprietary digital hub, TEFConnect.
- Application Period: January 1, 2025 – March 1, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit their applications well ahead of the deadline.
- Eligibility: Open to African entrepreneurs with scalable business ideas or existing businesses not older than five years. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Since its inception in 2015, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme has empowered over 21,000 African entrepreneurs, providing training, mentorship, and seed capital to foster economic growth across the continent. The Foundation’s mission is rooted in Africapitalism, positioning the private sector, and most importantly entrepreneurs, as the catalyst for the social and economic development of Africa.
For more information and to apply, visit the TEFConnect platform.
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