About the Tony Elumelu Foundation
Founded in 2010, the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is committed to catalyzing Africa’s economic transformation by fostering entrepreneurship development. Since launching the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme in 2015, the Foundation has:
- Reached over 1.5 million young Africans via its digital hub, TEFConnect.
- Disbursed $100 million in direct funding to 20,000 young entrepreneurs.
- Helped create 400,000 jobs and generated $2.5 billion in revenue.
The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme
Through its flagship Entrepreneurship Programme, TEF empowers African entrepreneurs and strengthens the entrepreneurship ecosystem across all 54 African countries. The programme is open to all entrepreneurs with businesses aged between 0–5 years. Applications from AI-driven businesses and green enterprises are highly encouraged.
Programme Structure
The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme identifies outstanding African entrepreneurs with start-ups or business ideas that demonstrate growth potential. The programme unfolds in the following four phases:
- Application Phase
- Training Phase
- Business Plan, Financials & Pitch Video Submission and Review Phase
- Seed Capital Phase
1. Application Phase
The 2025 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme Application opens from January 1st to March 1st (Midnight GMT). Applicants must complete the application form by providing valid and accurate responses to all required questions.
Application Process
Upon submission, applicants will receive an eligibility status notification on the screen and via email. A third-party organization will review applications that meet the cut-off score.
Application Form Sections
The application consists of four key sections:
- Personal Information
- Business Information
- Cognitive and Business Acumen Assessment
- Declarations
Required Documents
To maintain transparency, applicants must upload:
- A valid government-issued ID (showing date of birth and photo)
- A recent headshot photograph
- Ensure the name used on the application matches the name on TEFConnect and the ID card.
Mandatory Steps for All Applicants
- Complete all required fields on TEFConnect.
- Submit the application form.
- Attach and upload all necessary documents.
- Receive eligibility status and next steps.
Note: TEFConnect can only be accessed through one email account, so applicants must register with an email they check regularly.
Eligible Participants
Successful applicants will gain full access to the 2025 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, which includes training, mentorship, business plan development, financial planning, pitch video submission, and review. Participation in the virtual orientation/onboarding session is mandatory to understand programme phases, timelines, and available resources.
Ineligible Participants
Applicants who do not meet the selection criteria can still access General Training on TEFConnect but will not be eligible for mentorship or seed capital funding. They are encouraged to improve their business skills for future opportunities.
2. Training Phase
Shortlisted participants from the application phase will proceed to the TEF Business Management Training. This training includes:
- Multiple-choice assessments to track performance.
- One-on-one mentorship pairing to guide participants through the programme.
Important: Completion of the training programme is mandatory to advance to the submission and review of the business plan, financials, and pitch video, as well as to qualify for seed capital funding.
The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme remains a transformational platform for African entrepreneurs, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and funding to build sustainable businesses that drive economic growth across the continent.
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