How Kenyan Entrepreneurs Can Apply for the Tony Elumelu Foundation USD 5,000 Seed Capital

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), in collaboration with UBA Kenya Bank Ltd, has announced the opening of applications for the 2025 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme. This initiative offers Kenyan entrepreneurs a chance to access USD 5,000 in seed capital, along with business training, mentorship, and a valuable global network.

Since 2015, 782 Kenyan entrepreneurs have received this seed capital, and the Foundation’s reach now extends to 20,000 entrepreneurs across 54 African countries. Applications are open from January 1, 2025, to March 1, 2025, and must be submitted online via the TEFConnect platform (www.tefconnect.com).

Available Programmes

The following TEF Entrepreneurship programmes are open for applications:

  1. Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme
    This programme targets Kenyan entrepreneurs with innovative ideas or businesses that are less than five years old. Special emphasis is placed on AI-driven and green business initiatives.
  2. IYBA-WE4A Entrepreneurship Programme
    Exclusively for women entrepreneurs in Kenya and select African countries, this programme supports businesses in the green sector, whether ideas or existing businesses, registered within the last five years.
  3. BeGreen Africa Programme
    Focused on green businesses and waste management in Kenya, this programme is available to entrepreneurs aged 18-35.

Eligibility Criteria and How to Apply

To be eligible for any of the TEF Entrepreneurship programmes, businesses must be registered within the past five years. Applicants must also be at least 18 years old and meet other specific programme requirements. For instance, businesses must align with the programme’s focus area, such as AI or green initiatives. Required documents for application include a valid government-issued ID, a headshot, and an official business registration certificate if the business is operational.

Applicants are allowed to apply to only one TEF Entrepreneurship programme. Applying to more than one programme may result in disqualification. If you’re unsure which programme to apply for, visit the TEFConnect platform and review the detailed programme descriptions.

The application for the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is entirely free of charge. Be cautious of any third parties asking for payment in exchange for assistance with your application, as this is a scam. The Foundation does not require any fees for application support, and any such requests should be reported to whistleblower@tonyelumelufoundation.org.

When submitting your application, only government-issued IDs that clearly display your date of birth and a photo will be accepted. Student IDs or any other types of identification will not be valid and will render your application ineligible.

After submitting your application, you will receive a notification regarding your application status. Those who meet the necessary criteria will be shortlisted and moved to the next stages of the programme, which includes business training and mentorship.

If you were not selected in previous years, you are encouraged to reapply as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. However, if you were disqualified in previous years, you will not be allowed to reapply.

Entrepreneurs who have already received seed capital from any of the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s programmes are considered alumni and are not eligible to apply for further seed funding. Finally, applicants are only permitted to submit one business idea or existing business. Multiple submissions, whether in the same or different cycles, will lead to disqualification.