Tony Elumelu Foundation Launches 2026 Funding Training for African Startups

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has opened applications for its 2026 Entrepreneurship Programme, inviting young and ambitious entrepreneurs from across Africa to apply for funding, training, and mentorship aimed at driving job creation and inclusive economic growth on the continent.

The annual programme targets entrepreneurs in all 54 African countries and offers successful applicants US$5,000 in non-refundable seed capital, alongside world-class business training, mentorship, and access to Africa’s largest entrepreneurial network through the TEFConnect digital platform.

Since its launch in 2015, the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme has made significant contributions to Africa’s economic transformation. Over the past decade, the initiative has funded more than 24,000 entrepreneurs, trained 2.5 million Africans, created over 1.5 million jobs, and generated an estimated US$4.2 billion in revenue, reinforcing the Foundation’s belief that African entrepreneurs are central to sustainable development.

The programme has also promoted inclusive participation, with women accounting for 46 percent of all TEF entrepreneurs—the highest level of female involvement recorded by an entrepreneurship programme of this scale in Africa.

Speaking at the launch of the 2026 edition, Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and Chairman of Heirs Holdings Group, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, emphasized the importance of investing in Africa’s youth rather than relying on aid.

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

Applications for the 2026 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme opened on 1 January 2026 and will close on 1 March 2026. Interested applicants are required to submit their applications online via www.TEFConnect.com.

Founded on the philosophy of Africapitalism, the Tony Elumelu Foundation remains one of Africa’s leading philanthropic institutions focused on poverty eradication, job creation, and long-term economic development. Through strategic partnerships with global institutions including the European Union, UNDP, AfDB, UNICEF, Google, and several international development agencies, the Foundation continues to expand its reach and impact across the continent.

As applications open for the 2026 programme, TEF is once again positioning African entrepreneurs at the centre of the continent’s development agenda, reaffirming its commitment to empowering a new generation of business leaders capable of shaping Africa’s economic future