Below is the Direct Link To Apply For TEF Entrepreneurship Programme with upto $5,000 Funding this 2026 and details on how to apply for the program.
The Tony Elumelu Foundation has opened its application portal for the 2026 Entrepreneurship Programme, inviting Africans with practical business ideas or young ventures to apply for funding and enterprise support. The initiative is part of the Foundation’s annual effort to back early-stage entrepreneurs with capital, skills, and long-term guidance.
Unlike many grant programmes that focus only on registered companies, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme accepts both individuals with clear business ideas and entrepreneurs already running small businesses that are still within their first five years. Applications are open across all African countries and sectors, including agriculture, technology, manufacturing, creative industries, trade, health, and services.
Applicants selected into the 2026 cohort will go through a structured entrepreneurship process coordinated by the Foundation through its digital platform, TEFConnect. The process begins with business-focused training designed to help participants refine their ideas, understand costs and revenue, and prepare for sustainable growth. The training is delivered online and allows participants to learn at their own pace while completing required assessments.
Following the training phase, participants are assessed based on engagement, understanding of their business model, and the practicality of their ideas. Entrepreneurs who meet the programme’s benchmarks proceed to the funding stage, where successful candidates receive seed capital of five thousand dollars. The funding is non-refundable and intended strictly for business development purposes.
The Foundation has stated that applicants must be at least eighteen years old and must personally own the business idea or venture being presented. Businesses must be at idea stage or operating for no more than five years at the time of application. Participation throughout the programme is individual, and all activities, submissions, and assessments must be completed by the applicant.
Applications for the 2026 programme are submitted only through the Foundation’s official portal. The Tony Elumelu Foundation does not appoint agents and does not charge any fees at any stage of the application or selection process. Applicants are advised to rely solely on official channels and disregard requests for payment or guaranteed slots.
The deadline for submission is 1 March 2026.
Entrepreneurs interested in applying can access the official application page here: https://www.tefconnect.com
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