Tony Elumelu Foundation Launches SEED CAPITAL 2025: Empowering African Entrepreneurs with Upto $5,000 Grants, Training, and Mentorship

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) a leading philanthropic organization is dedicated to empowering African entrepreneurs and fostering economic development across the continent. As part of its ongoing commitment to entrepreneurship, the foundation has launched the SEED CAPITAL 2025 initiative, which aims to provide support to emerging entrepreneurs in Africa.

Since its inception, the Tony Elumelu Foundation has made significant strides in empowering African entrepreneurs. To date, the foundation has supported over 20,000 entrepreneurs across 54 African countries. The impact of this initiative is profound, with beneficiaries collectively creating 400,000 direct and indirect jobs and generating over $2.3 billion in revenue.

The SEED CAPITAL 2025 program is designed to equip African entrepreneurs with the necessary resources to launch and grow their businesses. This initiative offers Grants of up to $5,000, Selected entrepreneurs will receive financial support to help kickstart their business ideas or expand existing ventures. This grant is intended to alleviate some of the financial barriers that many entrepreneurs face, enabling them to focus on innovation and growth.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is a 10year $100 million commitment to identify, train, mentor, and fund 10,000 African entrepreneurs. The goal is to create at least 1 million jobs and contribute over $ 10 billion in revenue to the African economy, implementing the philosophy of Africapitalism, that encourages entrepreneurship, job creation, and sustainable development as key drivers of economic growth in Africa.

Benefits 

Successful applicants will receive:

12 weeks of intensive online training.

Access to a world-class mentor.

$5,000 in seed capital.

Future funding opportunities. 

Access to the TEF network of startups.

Eligibility

All Applications have to be for a Green Business Idea or a Business that have to be for revenue, centered on one enterprise space solely, and have to be the unique thought of the Applicant.

The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is open to African entrepreneurs from any one of the 54 African countries.

Applicants are typically required to demonstrate a viable business idea or an existing business that shows potential for growth. 

 Must be 18 years and above.

The Business or Business Idea should not be for an unlawful or unethical function.

The application process involves submitting a detailed business plan, which will be evaluated based on innovation, feasibility, and potential impact.

Mentorship

The program provides entrepreneurs with global experienced mentors who provide guidance, support, and industry insights. This mentorship is invaluable for navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship and for fostering a network of professional connections.

Successful applicants will join the over 9,000 current beneficiaries, from 54 African countries, and receive business training, mentoring, a non-refundable $5,000 of seed capital and global networking opportunities.

Application Deadline: 1st of March 2025.