The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), a prominent philanthropic organization dedicated to empowering African entrepreneurship, has announced the commencement of its 2025 Entrepreneurship Programmes application process. This initiative aims to bolster a new generation of African business leaders, alleviate poverty, stimulate job creation across the continent, and particularly enhance women’s economic participation. The application window, opening on January 1, 2025, and closing on March 1, 2025, invites aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to submit their proposals through TEFConnect, the foundation’s proprietary digital platform. The programs cater to entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas or existing businesses no older than five years, with applicants required to be at least 18 years of age. Successful applicants will gain access to a comprehensive suite of support, including world-class training, personalized mentorship from industry experts, and non-refundable seed capital to fuel their ventures’ growth.
The flagship program, the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, forms the cornerstone of TEF’s initiatives. This year, the program places a special emphasis on businesses leveraging artificial intelligence and green initiatives, reflecting the foundation’s commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability within the African entrepreneurial landscape. Successful participants will benefit from a structured curriculum covering essential business skills, access to a network of mentors and industry leaders, and crucial seed funding to propel their ventures forward. The program’s focus on AI and green initiatives underscores the TEF’s commitment to supporting ventures that address pressing global challenges and contribute to sustainable development. This targeted approach aims to nurture businesses that not only generate economic value but also contribute to positive social and environmental impact.
Complementing the flagship program is the IYBA-WE4A Entrepreneurship Programme, a collaborative effort between TEF, the European Union, and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). IYBA-WE4A, which stands for Investing in Young Businesses in Africa—Women Entrepreneurship for Africa, is specifically tailored for women entrepreneurs. This program focuses on green businesses, either in the ideation stage or already in operation, and is open to applicants from eight African countries: Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, and Togo. Similar to the flagship program, eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old and their businesses should not be older than five years. This specialized program aims to address the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Africa and empower them to build sustainable and impactful green businesses.
The third program available for applications is the Aguka Ideation Programme, a collaborative initiative involving TEF, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Rwanda, and the Rwandan Ministry of Youths and Arts. This program specifically targets young Rwandan entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 30 who are in the early stages of developing their business ideas. The Aguka Ideation Programme provides selected participants with a seed capital of $3,000, along with mentorship and training to refine their concepts and transform them into viable enterprises. This targeted program underscores TEF’s commitment to supporting early-stage entrepreneurs and fostering innovation within the Rwandan ecosystem.
The TEF’s commitment to nurturing African entrepreneurship extends beyond financial support. Through TEFConnect, the foundation’s digital hub, over 2.5 million young Africans have gained access to valuable training resources, networking opportunities, and business tools. TEFConnect serves as a vibrant online community, connecting entrepreneurs across the continent, facilitating knowledge sharing, and fostering collaboration. This digital platform plays a crucial role in democratizing access to entrepreneurial resources and empowering aspiring business leaders across Africa.
Since its inception in 2010, the Tony Elumelu Foundation has demonstrably impacted the African entrepreneurial landscape. The foundation has disbursed over $100 million in direct funding to more than 21,000 African entrepreneurs, both men and women. These TEF-supported ventures have collectively created over 800,000 direct and indirect jobs, generating over $4.2 billion in revenue. This significant contribution to job creation and economic growth highlights the TEF’s impact on the African economy. The foundation’s comprehensive approach, combining financial support with training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, has proven effective in empowering African entrepreneurs and driving sustainable development across the continent. The 2025 Entrepreneurship Programmes continue this legacy, offering a vital platform for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to realize their potential and contribute to Africa’s economic transformation.
