About this opportunity
The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme runs on a fixed annual cycle, and the Foundation writes it out plainly. The programme page states that the application portal "opens on the 1st of January till midnight on the 1st of March at Midnight, on our digital platform", so the next round on that cycle closes on 1 March 2027.
The money is the headline and it is not a loan. The page states "Programme Participants whose documents are endorsed will be deemed eligible to receive their $5,000 non-refundable seed capital and will be notified".
The Foundation's own record of the programme scale sits on its homepage: "Since 2015 the TEF has funded more than 27,000 young Africans with non-returnable seed capital of $5,000 each".
Eligibility
is continental and residency based. The programme page prints "Applications from Africans who are 18 years and above" and "Applications from Africans who reside in Africa and plan to establish their business in Africa".
The homepage adds that "TEF beneficiaries are spread across all 54 African Countries and African Regions (Central, East, Northern, Southern and Western Africa)", which places Nigerian founders squarely inside the stated pool. One caution before you plan around a date.
The Foundation publishes the January to March cycle rather than a year specific call notice, and the page title still carries the previous edition label, so confirm the live portal status on TEFConnect when the new year opens.
What you receive
- $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital for endorsed programme participants
- A continental cohort, the Foundation records beneficiaries across all 54 African countries and African regions
- A fixed annual cycle, the portal opening on 1 January and closing at midnight on 1 March
- More than 27,000 young Africans funded through the programme since 2015
Who can apply
- Africans aged 18 years and above
- Applicants who reside in Africa and plan to establish their business in Africa
- The Foundation records beneficiaries across all 54 African countries, so Nigerian founders qualify
Documents to prepare
- Documents supporting the endorsement step, the page states participants whose documents are endorsed are deemed eligible to receive the seed capital
How to apply
- Wait for the portal to open on 1 January on the Foundation digital platform
- Prepare the business details and the documents the endorsement step requires
- Submit before midnight on 1 March, the close the Foundation prints for the annual application portal
Selection process
- The page states participants whose documents are endorsed are deemed eligible to receive the seed capital and are notified
Sources and verification
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Questions applicants ask
Does the seed capital have to be repaid?
No. The programme page describes the $5,000 as non-refundable seed capital, and the Foundation homepage records it as non-returnable.
When does the application portal open?
The Foundation states that the portal opens on the 1st of January and closes at midnight on the 1st of March each year on its digital platform.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
