By Naomi Jeremiah

For millions of young Africans with business ideas but no access to capital, training, or the right networks, starting and scaling a business remains an uphill battle. The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is once again stepping in to bridge that gap, as it opens applications for its 2026 Entrepreneurship Programme.

The programme offers a lifeline to ambitious founders across all 54 African countries, providing US$5,000 in non-refundable seed capital, practical business training, one-on-one mentorship, and access to Africa’s largest entrepreneurship ecosystem through TEFConnect.

For many entrepreneurs, lack of funding, limited business knowledge, and isolation are the biggest barriers to success. Since 2015, TEF has tackled these challenges head-on, empowering more than 24,000 entrepreneurs, training 2.5 million Africans, creating over 1.5 million jobs, and generating US$4.2 billion in revenue across the continent.

Beyond funding, the programme has become a pathway to confidence, credibility, and community key ingredients often missing for early-stage founders. It has also played a significant role in advancing inclusive growth, with women now accounting for 46 per cent of beneficiaries, proving that access to opportunity can reshape Africa’s economic future.

Speaking on the launch, Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and Chairman of Heirs Holdings Group, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, said Africa’s progress depends on how well it empowers its people.

“Africa’s greatest asset is our people,” Elumelu said. “Africa does not need aid; Africa needs investment—especially in its young. When entrepreneurs are empowered, they create jobs, drive growth, and transform communities.”

Applications for the 2026 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme opened on January 1, 2026, and will close on March 1, 2026. Aspiring entrepreneurs can apply via their website.

For thousands of founders searching for capital, guidance, and a chance to turn ideas into impact, the programme represents more than funding, it is an opportunity to build sustainable businesses, create jobs, and take control of their economic future.