Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply (Beginner Friendly)

Here’s a simple roadmap to follow—step by step—to apply successfully for the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme.

Step 1: Check your eligibility & prepare yourself

• Ensure you are a citizen of one of the 54 African countries. TEF is open across all African nations.

• Your applicant profile: at least 18 years old (in many cases).

• You can apply with a business idea or existing business (not older than 5 years) in most cycles.

• Ensure you are ready to commit time for training, mentorship, creating a business plan, and meeting seed-capital requirements.

Step 2: Visit TEFConnect and open your free account

• Go to TEFConnect

  • – the official digital hub where applications are submitted.

  • Create an account with a valid email, secure password, and fill in your personal profile.

  • Explore sample training modules, previous winners’ stories and FAQs on the platform.

  Step 3: Prepare required documents & information

  You’ll need to assemble:

  • Government-issued ID (passport, national ID) showing your full name and photo.

  • If you have a business already: registration certificate, tax registration, bank reference letter relating to the business.

  • If you only have a business idea: you may still apply—focus on leadership, vision, scalability.

  • A concise description of your business idea or business model (what problem you solve, how you solve it, how you make money).

  • Your CV/resumé showing your experience, leadership, community contribution.

  • Optional: any supporting documents for technology/innovation, green economy, AI if applicable.

  Step 4: Fill in the online application form

  • Log into TEFConnect, go to the “Entrepreneurship Programme 2025” application link.

  • Complete all mandatory fields: personal info, business info, business idea details, sector, estimated revenue/employment, growth plan.

  • Fill out the cognitive / business acumen assessment section (if included).

  • Upload your supporting documents (ID, business registration, tax, bank letter etc) where required.

  • Review and submit before the closing date (for 2025 it was March 1).

  Step 5: Training phase

  • Once your application is submitted and deemed eligible, you’ll be granted access to the training modules on TEFConnect.

  • The training usually covers topics such as business plan development, marketing, finance, growth strategy, leadership.

  • You may be required to complete multiple-choice quizzes, submit assignments, and attend mentoring sessions.

  Step 6: Business-plan, financials & pitch video submission

  • During or after training, you’ll be asked to submit a business plan (using the template provided), financial projections, and often a short pitch video (2-3 minutes) presenting your business or idea.

  • Ensure your information is consistent across your application form, business plan, video and bank/business registration documents.

  Step 7: Selection & seed-capital disbursement

  • Applications that meet the required threshold will be shortlisted. A third-party evaluator (e.g., Ernst & Young) may oversee selection.

  • Selected entrepreneurs will be notified and receive the US $5,000 (non-refundable) seed capital into their business bank account.

  • The funds must be used in accordance with the programme’s terms (for scaling the business, creating jobs, etc.).

  Step 8: Mentorship & network engagement

  • After disbursement you will access mentorship from TEF’s pool of mentors. These sessions help you refine operations, strategy, growth and scaling.

  • Engage with the TEF alumni network, connect with other entrepreneurs, and leverage opportunities for investment or growth.

  Step 9: Implementation, reporting & growth

  • Use the seed capital strategically—invest in product development, new markets, marketing, hiring, tech infrastructure, etc.

  • Periodic reporting may be required (progress updates, job creation numbers, revenue growth).

  • Use the learning and network to attract further funding or investment if needed.

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  Key Insights, Benefits & Real-World Examples

  Here are some of the major benefits of the programme and how entrepreneurs across Africa have leveraged it.

  Benefits

  • Access to capital that doesn’t need repayment: The seed capital is non-refundable, which reduces risk for you as an entrepreneur.

  • Skill-building through training: You do not just get money—you’re equipped with business management knowledge.

  • Mentorship, which is often missing in many ecosystems: Having a mentor can help you avoid pitfalls and accelerate growth.

  • Pan-African network and visibility: Being a TEF entrepreneur gives you recognition and access to resources beyond your local ecosystem.

  • Emphasis on high-growth sectors: Particularly green economy and AI are being prioritized—if you are in those areas you have an edge.

  Real-World Examples

  • In the 2025 cohort, TEF announced 3,000 African entrepreneurs drawn from all 54 African countries.

  • According to one alumnus (2019): “The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme helped me build my first prototype and we started thinking bigger … now we provide solar solutions to over 50,000 homes in rural Tanzania.”

  • The programme has since 2015 empowered over 21,000 African entrepreneurs and generated over US$4.2 billion in revenue.

  These results show that the programme has both reach and impact—not just a nice idea, but a real engine for growth.

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  Structure for Your Business Plan / Pitch Document

  If you are selected, you’ll likely be required to submit a business plan or pitch. Here’s a simple strong structure you can follow:

  1. Executive Summary

     • One page summary of business idea, target market, innovation/impact, revenue model, ask (seed funding US $5,000).

  2. Problem & Solution

     • What gap or challenge you are addressing in your region or market?

     • How your product/service solves it uniquely?

  3. Market Size & Opportunity

     • Size of market, growth potential, customers, competition.

  4. Business Model & Revenue

     • How you will make money (sales, subscription, licensing, etc).

     • Past / projected revenues (if existing business).

  5. Operations & Technology

     • How you will deliver your solution: team, tech stack, production, supply chain.

  6. Growth Strategy & Use of Funding

     • How you will use the US $5,000 seed to achieve milestones (job creation, market entry, scale).

  7. Impact & Job Creation

     • Number of jobs you expect to create, social or environmental impact, scalability across Africa.

  8. Financial Plan & Forecast

     • Budget, break-even, revenue forecast, minimum viable product (MVP) stage (if new).

  9. Team & Leadership

     • Your background, key team members, mentors, advisors.

  10. Risks & Mitigation

  • Main risks (market, regulatory, financial) and how you plan to mitigate them.

  11. Conclusion & Ask

  • Summarize why you’re the right person, your readiness, and how TEF support will accelerate growth.

  Use this as the base for your submission and adapt to TEF’s templates.

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  Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

  Mistake	Why it hurts	How to avoid it
  Submitting below-par business idea	Your idea may lack scalability or viability	Focus on clarity: problem + solution + market size + business model
  Ignoring training or mentor sessions	You’ll miss out on major value and may drop out	Commit time for training modules and mentorship at the beginning
  Incomplete or inconsistent documents	Upload errors or mismatches can disqualify you	Double check all uploads (ID, registration, bank ref) and ensure consistency
  Weak leadership or lack of personal story	TEF values the person as much as the idea	Use your CV to show leadership, initiative, community involvement
  Waiting until last minute	Technical issues or incomplete form submission	Begin well ahead of deadline, save progress on TEFConnect, gather documents early
  Not planning seed-capital use	Without a plan the $5,000 may not yield impact	Create a clear 12-month action plan with milestones for funds usage

  Avoiding these mistakes significantly increases your chance of success.

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  Frequently Asked Questions (Concise)

  Q1: Is this programme open to all African countries?
  Yes – the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is open to entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries.

  Q2: What is the application deadline for the 2025 programme?
  For the 2025 cycle the programme opened early (January) and had a deadline of March 1, 2025.

  Q3: Do I need to repay the seed capital?
  No – the seed capital is non-refundable. The Tony Elumelu Foundation

  Q4: Can I apply if I only have a business idea (and no registered company yet)?
  Yes – you can apply with an idea. Where a business exists it must not be older than five years.

  Q5: Are sectors like green economy or AI prioritized?
  Yes – for 2025 there is special emphasis on businesses leveraging AI and green initiatives.

  Q6: What do I need to do after being selected?
  You complete training modules, submit business plan/financials, attend mentorship, receive funds, implement your business growth plan, and engage with the network.

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  Conclusion & Call to Action

  If you are an entrepreneur in Africa with a vision to grow an idea or scale a fledgling business, the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme offers one of the most powerful launchpads: seed capital, comprehensive training, mentorship, and access to a pan-African network.

  The steps are clear. The support is real. The opportunity is yours. Start early, prepare diligently, and present your story and business with confidence.

  “Your business idea could be the one that transforms your community, creates jobs and uplifts your continent. The $5,000 is just the beginning — your ambition, leadership, and execution will turn it into reality.”

  Ready to apply? Visit TEF’s official site and get onto TEFConnect today. Make this your moment.