The Tony Elumelu Foundation unveils 2026 Cohort of Entrepreneurs across Africa  – Opportunities For Africans

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) have unveiled the twelfth cohort of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, welcoming 3,200 younger African entrepreneurs from all 54 African international locations into Africa’s main entrepreneurship programme. Since the programme launched in 2015, the Tony Elumelu Foundation has empowered over 24,000 African entrepreneurs, offering enterprise coaching, mentorship, and $100 million in seed capital to early-stage companies.Th

In 2026, the Tony Elumelu Foundation will empower a complete of 3,200 entrepreneurs in 4 (4) cohorts. This is the primary cohort of the 2026 Entrepreneurship Programmes. Final eligibility for the non-returnable USD 5,000 seed funding is topic to profitable completion of the coaching and mentorship programme, submission of a sturdy marketing strategy, provision of legitimate limited-company documentation, passing of a statutory audit and due diligence, and communicated phrases set by the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

• 51% Women in 2026 Cohort, Signalling Rise of Female-Led Enterprises
• 75% of chosen entrepreneurs aged 18–35, reinforcing youth-driven financial transformation .
• 30% of chosen entrepreneurs from rural communities, increasing entry past city centres, and 13 chosen entrepreneurs reported to be thriving with disabilities.

Hers is the checklist: SHORTLISTED ENTREPRENEURS FOR THE 2026 FLAGSHIP TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME