Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program 2025

The Tony Elumelu Foundation was founded in 2010 with a mission to catalyse Africa’s economic transformation through entrepreneurship development. Since the launch of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme in 2015, the Foundation has reached over 1.5 million young Africans on its digital hub, TEFConnect, and disbursed USD$100 million in direct funding to 20,000 young African women and men who have collectively created 400,00 jobs and generated US$2.5 billion in revenue.  

Through the TEF Flagship Entrepreneurship Programme, the Foundation empowers African entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurship ecosystem across 54 African countries. The programme is opened to ALL entrepreneurs with businesses within 0 – 5 years. We encourage applications from businesses leveraging AI as well as green businesses.  

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE PROGRAMME? 
The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme identifies outstanding African entrepreneurs who have start-ups or business ideas with the potential to grow.  The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme will be delivered in different phases as listed below: 
1. Application Phase
2. Training Phase 
3. Business Plan, Financials, pitch video Submission and Review Phase 
4. Seed Capital Phase 

1. THE APPLICATION PHASE
The 2025 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme Application will launch on the 1st of January to the 1st of March at Midnight. Applicants are required to complete the application by providing valid and accurate responses to all questions. 
Upon successful submission, a notification displaying the applicant’s eligibility status will appear on the screen and will also be sent via email. A third party will review applications that meet the cut-off score.  

THE APPLICATION FORM
The application form consists of 4 sections: 
1. Personal information 
2. Business Information
3. Cognitive and Business acumen assessment
4. Declarations 

To ensure a transparent application process, all applicants must upload a valid government-issued ID that clearly displays their date of birth and photo, as well as a headshot. Also, applicants must indicate their name on the application form and on TEFConnect exactly as it appears on the ID card.  

ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO:  
1. Complete all mandatory fields in the online application form on TEFConnect. 
2. Submit the form. 
3. Attach all the requested documents (valid identity card and photo headshot) and upload the required documents.
4. Receive a notification on eligibility & next steps. 

Please Note: TEFConnect can only be accessed by a single email account. It is important that all applicants register with an email to which they have regular access. 

ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS
After the application review phase, the successful applicants will have full access to participate in the 2025 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, which comprises training, mentorship, Business plan, financials, pitch video submission, and review. All participants must attend the virtual orientation/onboarding session to learn more about the programme, its phases, timelines, and the resources available to succeed in the programme. 

INELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS 
These applicants are encouraged to improve their business skill sets to launch and run a business, which is essential.  They will have access to the General Training on TEFConnect but will not be eligible to be paired with a mentor and receive seed capital. 

2. THE TRAINING PHASE  
The shortlisted participants after the application phase will take part in the TEF Business Management training. They will be required to take multiple-choice questions to track performance. Additionally, participants will be paired with a mentor to guide them through the programme.  

NOTE: Completion of the training programme is a strict condition to moving forward to the submission and review of your business plan, financials, and pitch video, and receipt of seed capital.  

3. THE BUSINESS PLAN, FINANCIALS, AND PITCH VIDEO SUBMISSION AND REVIEW PHASE   
Each participant will be required to use the knowledge and experience obtained during the Business management training programme to develop a Business Plan, and financials using the template provided by the TEF team. Participants will also be required to submit a 2–3-minute pitch video about their idea or existing businesses.
The Business Plan, financials, and pitch videos will be reviewed by a third-party consultant, who will provide feedback and highlight areas for improvement. 

4. SEED CAPITAL PHASE 
SUBMISSION OF SEED CAPITAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS 
All applicants selected post the application are expected to start the process of registering their business and open a business bank account. However, only participants shortlisted after the business plan submission and review phase will be given access to submit their business bank details and seed capital documents. 

The participants from the countries with UBA presence must open an account with the United Bank for Africa. Those from countries without UBA presence are required to open an account with a reputable commercial bank. The other documents required are listed below: 

1. Upload an original government-approved ID card (it must be one of following).

I. National Identity Card Date of birth and photo must be clearly visible) 

ii. National Driver’s license 

iv. Permanent Voters’ card 

iii. International passport 

2. Business Registration Document/ Certificate 

3. Evidence of tax registration (Must include business name) 

4. Bank reference letter (The name on the business registration certificate must match the name on the bank reference letter) 

5. Partner’s Consent form (If you run your business with a partner) and the ID card of your partner must be provided. 

6. Medical report from a reputable hospital for participants who thrive with disability. 

Please read and note the following:  

1. Ensure that the picture on your ID card matches the image in your pitch video 

2. Ensure that the business name in your bank reference letter, business registration document and evidence of tax registration is the same. 

3. Ensure that your uploaded business plan aligns with the application submitted and pitch video. 

4. Ensure to read and comply with the terms and conditions, and agreements for the 2025 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme 

5. Submitting these documents does not guarantee automatic selection for seed capital. Instead, it is an opportunity to be selected, provided all required documents are submitted before the stipulated deadline and successfully validated.  

6. We will meticulously review all submitted documents. Any flagged documents will result in automatic disqualification from the programme.  Please review and ensure all documents are correct before submission.   

7. We will audit each participant’s details & document uploaded. We will disqualify any participant who does not comply and shares fake, invalid, and fraudulent details & documents will be disqualified. 

THE SEED CAPITAL DISBURSEMENT 
All participants who have successfully completed all the above steps and their business bank account details and business documents have been validated by the TEF team, will receive seed capital in their business bank accounts and receive a CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION AND ACHIEVEMENT.