Tony Elumelu Foundation. Training, mentoring and seed capital for African entrepreneurs, with a yearly application window on TEFConnect.
What it gives
deemed eligible to receive their $5,000 non-refundable seed capital Source
Who can apply
Applications from Africans who are 18 years and above. Source
Applications from applicants who either have a business idea or have a business no older than 5 years. Source
Applications from Africans who reside in Africa and plan to establish their business in Africa. Source
Applications from applicants who have never benefitted from any of our previous programmes. Source
You need a business idea or a business no older than 5 years, and you must never have benefited from a previous Foundation programme. Read the full eligibility list before you apply.
When to apply
Every year, the application portal for our flagship TEF Entrepreneurship Programme opens on the 1st of January till midnight on the 1st of March Source
The official page is the only place that is certain to be current. Everything above was read there on 27 October 2026 and is quoted word for word. This is information, not advice, and not an endorsement.
Do you fit it?
KeyStone checks the rules it can check against your citizenship and where you are based, and tells you plainly when a rule needs you to confirm it. Check it for me.