Tag Archives: African Entrepreneurs

2026 TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME

Application Deadline: 1st March, 2026

LOCATION: Nigeria

Entrepreneurs from anywhere on the African continent—whether they are developing new concepts or already running ventures—are eligible to apply for the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme. The programme particularly welcomes startups that incorporate artificial intelligence or focus on environmentally sustainable solutions.

ELIGIBILITY:

Entrepreneurs from across all 54 African countries are eligible to apply.

Open to businesses that are between 0 and 5 years old at the time of application. Businesses older than 5 years are not eligible.

Being an African entrepreneur, having a business idea or existing business operating in Africa, being 18 years or older, and meeting specific program requirements.

Students can apply if they meet the prorgramme eligibility criteria and have a business idea or an existing business. However, you must provide valid identification documents as required by the application process.

BENEFIT:

Gain access to $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital.

World-class business training

Expert mentorship, and access to networks and market opportunities

APPLY

AFRICA FOOD PRIZE

Application Deadline: 27 June, 2025

LOCATION: Kenya

The Africa Food Prize is the preeminent award recognizing an outstanding individual or institution that is leading the effort to change the reality of farming in Africa—from a struggle to survive to a business that thrives.

ELIGIBILITY:

The Prize Committee considers the following criteria for the Prize:

Contribution to reducing poverty and hunger and/or improving food and nutrition security in measurable terms

Contribution to providing a vital source of income and/or employment in measurable terms

Potential for transformative change through scalability, replication, and sustainability

Increased awareness and cooperation among African audiences and organizations

In its assessments, the Africa Food Prize Committee will particularly emphasize proven, tangible results, scalability and value creation derived from the nominee’s work, directly or indirectly, with regard to improvement of sustainable agriculture and food and nutrition security in Africa. In its deliberations, the Africa Food Prize Committee will furthermore emphasize the value of the nominees’ achievements with regard to visionary thinking, their role as motivator and rallying point in the campaign against hunger and poverty, as well as their inclination to share knowledge and cooperate. The Africa Food Prize Committee will also consider the circumstances under which the work has been carried out and results achieved; that is the complexity of the problem and the difficulties, hostilities or prejudices encountered.

Proven leadership potential of the individual or organization, specifically the ability of the to persevere despite significant challenges or risks

BENEFIT:

The US $100,000 prize celebrates Africans who are taking control of Africa’s agriculture agenda.

APPLY