The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) as stated by their website is “Africa’s leading philanthropy dedicated to empowering African entrepreneurs.”
Through the foundation, Tony Elumelu launched the $100million Entrepreneurship Programme, in 2015 to empower 10,000 entrepreneurs over 10 years. Entrepreneurship programme 2021 is the 7th of such support programmes. The foundation has empowered to date, over 9,000 young African entrepreneurs from 54 African countries.
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“The Tony Elumelu Foundation, which celebrated ten years of impact in 2020, is empowering a new generation of African entrepreneurs, through the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme. Successful applicants receive a world-class business training, mentorship, non-refundable seed capital up to $5,000, and global networking opportunities. The Programme is open to entrepreneurs across Africa, both new start-ups and existing young businesses, operating in any sector,” Statement from the foundation.
Entrepreneurship Programme 2021
Entrepreneurship programme 2021 seeks “To address the unique challenges arising from the pandemic, lift millions out of poverty and create sustainable employment across the continent.”
“The Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Programme will empower 1,000 young African entrepreneurs, selected from the 2020 cohort. The Foundation will also open applications to an additional 2,400 young entrepreneurs in 2021, in collaboration with global partners,” said the foundation.
Applications for entrepreneurship programme 2021 was opened on January 1, 2021, and will end on March 3, 2021. This is an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to seize and tender in their application as there are less than 15 days before the application ends.
The Director of Partnerships & Communications at the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Somachi Chris-Asoluka couldn’t have put it any better when he said:
“Africa is growing, and active youth population must take advantage of this opportunity and apply for the programme before the 31st of March, as their full participation will create a pathway to economic prosperity. This year, we have the capacity to empower more African entrepreneurs than ever, further ensuring that they have adequate training, funding and mentorship to boost their performance. It is time for young African entrepreneurs to embrace this much-needed support system to enable thriving and sustainable economic activity. We believe we will continue to see exponential change in sectors across the continent.”
Applications can be accessed on its TEFConnect digital platform www.tefconnect.com.
