Yes. The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme 2027 opens for applications on 1 January 2027. TEF announced the date on its official TEFConnect page in November 2026. Applying is free, and you apply only on TEFConnect.
Get a free email 7 days before it opens and the day applications open.
What you get if you are selected
- US$5,000 in non-refundable seed capital: you do not pay it back.
- Business training
- Mentorship
- Access to TEF’s pan-African network of entrepreneurs
Who can apply
The programme is open to entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries, with either a business idea or an existing business. TEF publishes the full eligibility rules on TEFConnect when applications open. Read them before you start, and we will update this guide when they are out.
Key dates
- Applications open: 1 January 2027
- Applications close: to be announced. For reference, the 2026 window ran from 1 January to 1 March 2026.
Thousands of people apply in the first weeks, and the portal can be slow close to the deadline. Plan to submit early in January.
Get ready now: 6 things to prepare before 1 January
- Write a one-paragraph summary of your business or idea: what you sell, who buys it, and why they need it.
- Be clear on the problem you solve and who you solve it for, in plain words.
- Know your numbers: your costs, your price, and (if you are trading) your monthly sales. Our free sales and expenses book adds them up for you.
- Plan how you would use US$5,000, item by item.
- Have your ID ready, plus your CAC registration if you already have one. Keep them in My business documents.
- Draft your answers early. Our business plan generator helps you put the business into words, and the readiness check shows what is still missing.
Avoid scams
TEF never charges an application or “processing” fee, and nobody can guarantee you a place. Ignore WhatsApp messages or agents that ask for money to “fast-track” your application. Apply only on TEFConnect.
Don’t miss the opening date
Create a free GrantPilot account and turn on the reminder above. We will email you 7 days before applications open and again the day they open, and we will update this guide as TEF publishes the details.
GrantPilot is an independent platform, not part of the Tony Elumelu Foundation. Funding decisions are made by TEF.
An experienced reviewer reads your plan or application line by line and sends written feedback within 3 working days: what is strong, what a committee will question, and what to change. ₦40,000 per document.
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