The Tony Elumelu Foundation announces 2026 Cohort of TEF Entrepreneurship Programme
The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), a leading philanthropy empowering young African entrepreneurs, will announce the 12th cohort of its flagship TEF Entrepreneurship Programme on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
Over 265,000 applications were received from all 54 African countries, highlighting Africa’s vibrant entrepreneurial sector and the need for early-stage funding. Top sectors include Agriculture, Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare, and Green Economy.
The Foundation will empower 3,200 entrepreneurs through various programmes, with $16 million to be disbursed in 2026. Selected entrepreneurs will receive $5,000 in seed capital, business training, mentorship, and network access.
“The future of Africa will be built by Africans who create businesses, generate jobs and solve challenges,” says Tony O. Elumelu, Founder of TEF. “Empowering entrepreneurs is the most sustainable path to Africa’s economic transformation.”
