Through a 10-year, $100 million program, the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is leading a game-changing effort to find, educate, coach, and finance 10,000 African entrepreneurs by 2025.
Successful program participants will earn US$5,000 in seed funds to launch their business ideas, receive 12 weeks of intensive online training, and work with a top-tier mentor. There will also be chances for further investment.
Additionally, they will be able to connect with the vast network of startups in the TEF. The Elumelu family has invested US$100 million in the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Program, which will provide focused training, financial support, and mentorship to 10,000 African entrepreneurs over ten years.
Aim Of The Program
The program aims to boost Africa’s economy by over US$10 billion and create at least 1 million employment. The TEF keeps empowering African entrepreneurs and bolstering the entrepreneurial ecosystem in all 54 African nations through its flagship Entrepreneurship Program.
How the Program Operates
The TEF training program is specially made to divide entrepreneurs into groups according to their level of expertise and proven talents. With an emphasis on the particular difficulties faced by company owners throughout the African continent, this course is designed to give participants the tools they need to launch or expand their enterprises.
Even when the training time is over, the curriculum’s emphasis on experiential and iterative learning ensures its relevance and applicability.
Eligibility for the Program
Who is eligible to apply?
- All citizens and legal residents of any of the 54 African nations are eligible to participate in the program. Africa is where the planned business must be registered and run.
• Are applicants subject to an age limit? Indeed.
Candidates must not be regarded as minors in their home countries and be at least eighteen years old. The maximum age for applicants is not specified.
• Does my company’s age have any restrictions? Indeed.
All enterprises must be either early-stage or brand-new during the first five years of their existence.
• What happens if I manage several start-up companies?
Your application should only be about one business. It is advised that you select the most creative and viable business concept. Even with a different name or business concept, chosen entrepreneurs are not permitted to reapply for subsequent program cohorts.
• If I have a family who works for TEF, will my start-up be disqualified? Indeed.
The TEF Entrepreneurship Program does not accept applications from Tony Elumelu Foundation employees or their families.
Employees and their families from affiliate businesses in the UBA Group and Heirs Holdings Group are also subject to this ban. Applications from such people will not be taken into consideration, regardless of whether they are filed individually or in a group.
For whom is participation in the TEF Entrepreneurship Program ineligible?
- Partners in TEF Audits and their Close Family Members.
- Employees and their immediate family members of businesses connected to the Tony Elumelu Foundation that have contributed to the development or management of the program.
- This program was created and administered by the promoter’s consultants and agents, as well as by employees and their immediate family members in cases where the consultants and agents are entities.
The program will not accept applications from:
- Government organisations, corporations, faith-based organisations, or research institutes that are not established in Mali.
- Applications from business partners or TEF alumni.
- Applications from those who were rejected from any prior TEF program.
- Applications that use automated devices or processors, scripts, macros, or other digital tools to obtain an unfair advantage.
- Applications that are inaccurate and lacking information.
- Applications that include businesses or business ideas that are unlawful or unethical.
BrandSpur national news reports the Procedures for Applying
How can I apply for the program?
- All applications must be filled out and submitted online at tefconnect.net, the official application portal.
- To submit an application, candidates must answer a set of needed questions.
What takes place following submission?
- An email acknowledging receipt of your application will be sent to you when it has been submitted.
What happens if my company is a partnership?
- Only one selected person from the company or partnership may take part in the program in the case of a partnership. This person must own an equal or majority ownership in the company and secure approval from all partners.
Can I submit an offline application?
- No, we do not accept offline applications. The only way to submit any applications is via tefconnect.net.
What happens if my first language is not English?
- To make the application form accessible to non-native English speakers, it is also available in Arabic, French, and Portuguese.
What details or proof of identity are needed for the application?
- Candidates must fill out the application form with accurate and current information in all required fields.
Does the application come with any costs?
- No, there are no costs associated with applying to the program from the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
