About the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), established in 2010, is the leading African private-sector-led philanthropy dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs across the continent. TEF’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship aligns with Tony Elumelu’s Africapitalism philosophy, which positions Africa’s private sector and entrepreneurs as catalysts for social and economic development.
Programme Overview The TEF Flagship Entrepreneurship Programme supports African entrepreneurs and the broader entrepreneurship ecosystem across 54 African countries. Open to entrepreneurs with businesses aged 0–5 years, the programme encourages applications from AI-driven and green businesses.
Programme Phases:
- Application Phase
- Training Phase
- Business Plan, Financials & Pitch Video Submission and Review Phase
- Seed Capital Phase
Application Phase
- Applications open from January 1, 2025, to March 1, 2025 (Midnight).
- Applicants must complete the form accurately and provide all required documents.
- Upon submission, eligibility status will be displayed on-screen and sent via email.
- A third party will review applications that meet the cut-off score.
Application Form Sections:
- Personal Information
- Business Information
- Cognitive and Business Acumen Assessment
- Declarations
Application Requirements:
- A valid government-issued ID with a clear date of birth and photo.
- A headshot photograph.
- The name on the application must match the ID and TEFConnect profile.
- TEFConnect access is limited to a single email account.
Eligible Participants: Successful applicants will gain access to training, mentorship, and submission of business plans, financials, and pitch videos. Participation in a virtual orientation/onboarding session is mandatory.
Ineligible Participants: Applicants who do not qualify can still access General Training on TEFConnect but will not receive mentorship or seed capital.
Training Phase Shortlisted participants will undergo TEF Business Management Training, which includes multiple-choice assessments to track progress. Mentorship is provided to guide participants through the process. Completion of this phase is mandatory for progressing to the business plan and pitch video submission phase.
Business Plan, Financials & Pitch Video Submission and Review Participants will develop a business plan and financials using a TEF-provided template and submit a 2–3-minute pitch video. A third-party consultant will review submissions, provide feedback, and suggest improvements.
Seed Capital Phase After the business plan review, selected applicants must:
- Register their business and open a business bank account.
- Participants in countries with UBA presence must open an account with the United Bank for Africa (UBA); others should use a reputable commercial bank.
Required Documents for Seed Capital:
- A valid government-issued ID (National ID, Driver’s License, Voter’s Card, or Passport).
- Business Registration Document/Certificate.
- Evidence of Tax Registration (including business name).
- Bank Reference Letter (matching business registration name).
- Partner’s Consent Form (if applicable) and their ID.
- Medical Report (for applicants with disabilities).
Important Guidelines:
- The ID photo must match the pitch video image.
- Business name consistency across all documents is mandatory.
- The uploaded business plan must align with the application and pitch video.
- Compliance with all terms and conditions is required.
- Submission of documents does not guarantee selection; only validated applicants will proceed.
- Any falsified or invalid documents will result in disqualification.
Seed Capital Disbursement Participants who successfully complete all requirements and have their business documents validated will receive seed capital in their business bank accounts and a Certificate of Completion and Achievement.
Application Closing Date: March 1, 2025
How to Apply: Interested and qualified candidates should [Click Here to Start Application]
