Collins Sefa Africa’s leading entrepreneurship philanthropy, the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), has officially opened applications for its 2026 Entrepreneurship Programme, inviting ambitious founders from all 54 African countries to apply via TEFConnect.
The flagship programme provides US$5,000 in non-refundable seed capital, alongside world-class business training, mentorship, and access to Africa’s largest entrepreneurial network, equipping the next generation of African founders to scale their businesses and create meaningful impact.
Since its inception in 2015, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme has:
- Funded over 24,000 entrepreneurs
- Trained 2.5 million Africans in business skills
- Created 1.5 million jobs across the continent
- Generated more than US$4.2 billion in revenue
These results underscore the transformative potential of African entrepreneurs to drive economic growth, create jobs, and innovate across sectors.
The Programme also champions inclusive entrepreneurship, with women now comprising 46% of TEF entrepreneurs—the highest female participation rate in any programme of this scale.
Speaking on the 2026 launch, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, Founder of TEF and Chairman of Heirs Holdings Group, said:
“Africa’s greatest asset is our people. Africa does not need aid; Africa needs investment—in infrastructure, in institutions, but most critically in our young. Through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, we show that when entrepreneurs are empowered, they create jobs, drive growth, and transform communities. Entrepreneurs are the future of Africa.”
Applications for the 2026 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme are open from 1 January to 1 March 2026. Founders across Africa are encouraged to apply via www.TEFConnect.com to access funding, training, mentorship, and the platform to transform their ideas into impactful enterprises.
