Enterprise Africa Fellowship Scholarship 2026 supports African micro, small, and medium enterprises with structured training, expert mentorship, intellectual property support, and direct market access opportunities. The Enterprise Africa Fellowship is the African Union Commission’s flagship startup acceleration initiative targeting promising youth- and women-led enterprises.
The programme is implemented by the AU Commission’s Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM). Cohort 2 (2026/27) will expand to 100 fellows from AU Member States with sector-focused training, mentorship, AfCFTA market intelligence access, and continental market-entry or B2B matchmaking activities.
Benefits of Enterprise Africa Fellowship Scholarship 2026
- Twelve months of structured training across ten modules differentiated by sector and tier
- Expert mentorship through African Union Partners
- Access to the African Trade Observatory (ATO) and AfCFTA market intelligence tools
- Participation in continental events
- Tier 1 and 2 fellows participate in virtual market-entry sessions across ten AfCFTA pilot countries
- Tier 3 fellows participate in B2B matchmaking sessions
Eligibility Criteria for the Enterprise Africa Fellowship Scholarship 2026
- Registered and operating in an AU Member State
- Formally registered as a business entity
- Operating for at least two years
- Employing a minimum of three full-time staff
- Applications particularly encouraged from women-led enterprises and businesses from underrepresented AU regions and small island Member States
- Not eligible: current and former staff of the African Union Commission, employees and representatives of EAN institutional partners, staff of Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and graduates of any previous EAN Fellowship cohort
How to Apply for the Enterprise Africa Fellowship Scholarship 2026
- Applications are submitted online via the application form (click APPLY HERE or EAN FELLOWSHIP 2026 on the announcement page)
- The application form collects business registration details, sector, years of operation, employee count, countries currently trading, revenue range, IP status, and access to formal finance
- Applicants must submit a written pitch of up to 800 words describing the enterprise, its main market challenge, and the applicant’s objective for the fellowship
- Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide one supporting document verifying finance access (bank statement, mobile money statement, or equivalent); this is not required at application stage
- Misrepresentation of any information will result in immediate disqualification and permanent ineligibility for future EAN Fellowship cohorts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Enterprise Africa Fellowship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, tiers, and how to apply based on the official announcement.
What is the Enterprise Africa Fellowship Scholarship 2026?
The Enterprise Africa Fellowship is the African Union Commission’s flagship startup acceleration initiative implemented by ETTIM to develop micro, small, and medium enterprises. It provides structured training, expert mentorship, IP support, and market access, targeting youth- and women-led enterprises across AU Member States.
Who can apply to the Enterprise Africa Fellowship Scholarship 2026?
Enterprise Africa Fellowship Scholarship 2026 is open to youth- and women-led small enterprises that are registered and operating in an AU Member State, formally registered as a business entity, operating for at least two years, and employing a minimum of three full-time staff. Priority is given to women-led and underrepresented regions.
What sectors does Cohort 2 cover?
Cohort 2 covers seven sectors organised into two clusters: Products Cluster (Manufacturing, Agro-processing, Creative Industries) and Services Cluster (ICT/Digital, Fintech, Health, Logistics/Transport), aligned with AfCFTA priorities.
How many fellows will be selected for Cohort 2?
Enterprise Africa Fellowship Scholarship 2026 will expand the programme to 100 fellows drawn from all 55 AU Member States, with at least 40 places reserved to ensure representation across the five continental regions and at least five places for enterprises from small island Member States.
What support do fellows receive during the programme?
All fellows receive twelve months of structured training across ten modules differentiated by sector and tier, expert mentorship via AU partners, access to the African Trade Observatory and AfCFTA market intelligence tools, and participation in continental events.
How are fellows grouped into tiers?
Fellows are placed into three tiers based on enterprise maturity: Tier 1 (Growth) for enterprises operating 2-5 years with minimum 3 employees, Tier 2 (Expansion) for 5-10 years and 10–30 employees with cross-border ambition, and Tier 3 (Scale-Ready) for 10+ years or investor-ready profiles.
Are there market access activities included?
Yes. Tier 1 and 2 fellows participate in virtual market-entry sessions across ten AfCFTA pilot countries, while Tier 3 fellows participate in B2B matchmaking sessions to facilitate trade and investment opportunities.
What is the application deadline for Cohort 2?
The application deadline for Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship Cohort 2 is 30 September 2026. Applications opened on 31 July 2026 and results are communicated in October 2026.
What documents are required with the application?
The online application collects business registration details and other enterprise information plus an 800-word written pitch. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide one supporting document verifying access to finance, such as a bank statement or mobile money statement; this is not required at initial application.
Who is not eligible to apply?
The following are not eligible: current and former staff of the African Union Commission, employees and representatives of EAN institutional partners, staff of Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and graduates of any previous EAN Fellowship cohort.
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