2025 Tony Elumelu Foundation Grant Application | Step-by-step

Application for the 2025 Tony Elumelu Foundation grants is open. This is an opportunity to take your business or business idea to another level. Here you have a chance to receive up to $5000, mentorship, and also network with other entrepreneurs on how to expand your business.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation was founded in 2010 and launched in 2015 to catalyze Africa’s economic transformation through entrepreneurship development. The Foundation has a digital hub called TEFConnect that has reached over 1.5 million young Africans and has disbursed USD$100 million in direct funding to 20,000 young African women and men who have collectively created 400,00 jobs and generated US$2.5 billion in revenue.

This post is the best one so far and can guide you through the process of applying for the $5000 grant from the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme. You can equally join the TEFConnect to ask questions on areas you need clarification on using the link provided in this post.

What forms of opportunities are covered by the TEF2025 Grant?

The TEF2025 grant is designed in such a way that it covers many programs centered on green business. The following are the programs available:

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE PROGRAM?  

The TEF Entrepreneurship Program identifies outstanding African entrepreneurs who have start-ups or business ideas with the potential to grow. The TEF Entrepreneurship Program will be delivered in different phases as listed below:  

• Application Phase  
• Training Phase  
• Business Plan, Financials, pitch video Submission and Review Phase  
• Seed Capital Phase  

THE APPLICATION PHASE 

The 2025 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme Application will launch on the 1st of January to the 1st of March at Midnight. Applicants are required to complete the application by providing valid and accurate responses to all questions.  

Upon successful submission, a notification displaying the applicant’s eligibility status will appear on the screen and will also be sent via email. A third party will review applications that meet the cut-off score. 

THE APPLICATION FORM 
The application form consists of 4 sections:  
1. Personal information  
2. Business Information 
3. Cognitive and Business acumen assessment 
4. Declarations 

To ensure a transparent application process, all applicants must upload a valid government-issued ID that displays their date of birth and photo, as well as a headshot. Also, applicants must indicate their name on the application form and TEFConnect exactly as it appears on the ID card.  

Requirements from all applicants:   

• Complete all mandatory fields in the online application form on TEFConnect.  
• Submit the form.  
• Attach all the requested documents (valid identity card and photo headshot) and upload the required documents. 
• Receive a notification on eligibility & next steps. 

When filling out the application form on TEFConnect, you will be required to upload the documents below. Also, please ensure to use valid phone numbers that are on WhatsApp to apply to the program. The documents are:

• Valid Government-issued Identification
• Applicant’s headshot
• Official Business Registration Certificate- Businesses already operational

Please Note: TEFConnect can only be accessed by a single email account. All applicants must register with an email to which they have regular access. 

What are the eligibility criteria for businesses?

• All programs are open to businesses that are between 0 and 5 years old at the time of application.
• Businesses older than 5 years are not eligible.
• However, the Aguka Ideation Programme is exclusive to Rwandan entrepreneurs with businesses in the idea stage.

How to apply now for the TEF2025 grant?

Applications can be submitted on www.tefconnect.com and will be open from the 1st of January to midnight on the 1st of March 2025. Ensure to complete your application well ahead of the deadline.

You can navigate to the official TEFConnect website to start your application. Click the button below to start your application.

YouTube guide on steps to answer questions during your application

What is the next step after applying to TEFConnect?

Once you have successfully submitted your application, you will get a notification about your status. Kindly note that a third party will review applications that meet the TEF cut-off score. The final selected Programme applicants and the unsuccessful applicants will be informed accordingly.

How to pass screening to become a participant

Your application will be reviewed based on the following criteria: Leadership: Demonstration of leadership qualities and potential. Wow Us: Creativity and innovation that makes your business stand out. Elevator Pitch: A clear and compelling summary of your business idea. Problems Solved: The extent to which your business addresses a significant problem or need.

Eligible participants

After the application review phase, the successful applicants will have full access to participate in the 2025 TEF Entrepreneurship Program, which includes training, mentorship, Business plan, financials, pitch video submission, and review. All participants must attend the virtual orientation/onboarding session to learn more about the program, its phases, timelines, and the resources available to succeed in the program. 

Ineligible participants

These applicants are encouraged to improve their business skill sets to launch and run a business, which is essential. They will have access to the General Training on TEFConnect but will not be eligible to be paired with a mentor and receive seed capital. 

THE TRAINING PHASE  

The shortlisted participants after the application phase will take part in the TEF Business Management training. They will be required to take multiple-choice questions to track performance. Additionally, participants will be paired with a mentor to guide them through the program. 

NOTE: Completion of the training program is a strict condition for moving forward to the submission and review of your business plan, financials, pitch video, and receipt of seed capital.  

THE BUSINESS PLAN, FINANCIALS, AND PITCH VIDEO SUBMISSION AND REVIEW PHASE  

Each participant will be required to use the knowledge and experience obtained during the Business management training program to develop a Business Plan, and financials using the template provided by the TEF team. Participants will also be required to submit a 2–3-minute pitch video about their idea or existing businesses. 

The Business Plan, financials, and pitch videos will be reviewed by a third-party consultant, who will provide feedback and highlight areas for improvement. 

4. SEED CAPITAL PHASE 

SUBMISSION OF SEED CAPITAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS 

All applicants selected post the application are expected to start the process of registering their business and opening a business bank account. However, only participants shortlisted after the business plan submission and review phase will be given access to submit their business bank details and seed capital documents. 

The participants from the countries with UBA presence must open an account with the United Bank for Africa. Those from countries without UBA presence are required to open an account with a reputable commercial bank.

Documents required for seed capital

The other documents required are listed below: 

• Upload an original government-approved ID card (it must be one of the following). I. National Identity Card Date of birth and photo must be visible) 
  • National Driver’s license 
  • Permanent Voters’ card 
  • International passport 
• Business Registration Document/ Certificate 
• Evidence of tax registration (Must include business name) 
• Bank reference letter (The name on the business registration certificate must match the name on the bank reference letter) 
• Partner’s Consent form ( If you run your business with a partner) and the ID card of your partner must be provided. 
• Medical report from a reputable hospital for participants who thrive with disability. 

Important notice to everyone applying for seed capital(TEF2025 $5000 grant)

Please read and note the following:  

• Ensure that the picture on your ID card matches the image in your pitch video 
• Ensure that the business name in your bank reference letter, business registration document, and evidence of tax registration are the same. 
• Ensure that your uploaded business plan aligns with the application submitted and pitch video. 
• Ensure to read and comply with the terms and conditions, and agreements for the 2025 TEF Entrepreneurship Program 
• Submitting these documents does not guarantee automatic selection for seed capital. Instead, it is an opportunity to be selected, provided all required documents are submitted before the stipulated deadline and successfully validated.  
• We will meticulously review all submitted documents. Any flagged documents will result in automatic disqualification from the program.  
• Please review and ensure all documents are correct before submission.   
• We will audit each participant’s details & document uploaded. We will disqualify any participant who does not comply and shares fake, invalid, and fraudulent details & documents will be disqualified. 

THE SEED CAPITAL DISBURSEMENT 

All participants who have completed all the above steps and their business bank account details and business documents have been validated by the TEF team, will receive seed capital in their business bank accounts and receive a CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION AND ACHIEVEMENT. 

Key highlights and FAQs of the 2025 $5000 Seed capital grant from the Tony Elumelu Foundation

Below are some important answers you may need to know about this 2025 $5000 seed capital grant.

Conclusion on 2025 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme

Apply Now for $5000 in the 2025 Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme as it is a wonderful step towards boosting the capacity and strength of your business. Your business idea can transform into reality through the help of this grant opportunity.

Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme is not a competition given to winners. Rather, it is an opportunity for mentorship and giving of grants to business individuals or groups that need it. You can prepare your business idea in such a way as to be beneficial to both the people economically, healthwise, and towards our environment. The goal remains to raise vibrant African businessmen and women who can also create jobs through their green businesses.

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity. Apply now for the TEF2025 grant. Tony Elumelu Foundation 2025 closing date for this grant is on the midnight of March 1, 2025.

Congratulations in advance.

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