2025 TEF PROGRAMMES APPLICATION FAQs
The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is the leading champion of Entrepreneurship & Economic Development in Africa. Quick Answers to your questions for the 2025 TEF Entrepreneurship Programmes. Applications are currently ongoing.
- Q: What programmes are open for application in January 2025?
A: The following programmes will be/are open(ed):
TEF Flagship Entrepreneurship Programme: Open to all entrepreneurs across Africa with business ideas or existing businesses. We encourage applications from businesses leveraging AI as well as green businesses. For existing businesses, business registration must not exceed five years at the time of application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
IYBA-WE4A Entrepreneurship Programme: Open exclusively to women entrepreneurs with green business ideas or existing green businesses in Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, and Togo. For existing businesses, business registration must not exceed five years at the time of application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Aguka Ideation Programme: Open to Rwandan entrepreneurs with businesses in the idea stage and aged 18-30.
BeGreen Africa Programme: This programme is open to entrepreneurs with green businesses in Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa, as well as waste management businesses specifically in Kenya. For existing businesses, registration must not exceed five years at the time of application. Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Q: What are the eligibility criteria for businesses?
Answer: All programmes 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.
- Q: How do I apply?
A: Applications can be submitted on www.tefconnect.com, and will be open from 1st of January to the midnight on the 1st of March 2025. Ensure to complete your application well ahead of the deadline.
- Q: Can I apply to more than one Entrepreneurship programme?
A: No, applicants are advised to apply to only one programme. We encourage you to carefully review the programme descriptions and select the one that best suits your entrepreneurial and business goals.
- Q: How do I know which programme is right for me?
A: We recommend reviewing the programme descriptions to determine which one aligns best with your business stage, demographic, and focus area.
- Q: Is there a registration fee to be paid before TEF Application?
A: The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme application is online, and it is FREE! TEF has NOT appointed anyone to act on her behalf to conduct any part of this Programme. If anyone is asking you to pay any amount of money in exchange for application support, it is a scam. Please report it immediately by sending an email to whistleblower@tonyelumelufoundation.org We will ensure the confidentiality of your information.
- Q: I have signed up on tefconnect.com but no confirmation email received
A: Kindly ensure to check your inbox, spam, promotional and junk mailboxes for confirmation emails. Be sure to send an email to enquiries@tonyelumelufoundation.org for any further assistance.
- Q: While filling my application on tefconnect.com, I am unable to click on ‘’CONTINUE’’ to move to the next page of my application
A: If you experience any issues with filling your application. Kindly use the following steps:
- Check your internet connectivity
- Sign out of the platform and clear your browser cache
- If the issue persists, please send an email to enquiries@tonyelumelufoundation.org with detailed reference (explanation of the issues faced) either with text, image or video and we will resolve.
- Q: Can I use a student ID to apply?
A: No, only government-issued IDs that clearly display your date of birth and a clear photograph of you are accepted. Submitting any other type of ID will result in the application being deemed null and void.
- Q: I am unable to upload my ID/photo
A: Kindly ensure that you are uploading a Jpeg/png file no more than 1mb in size. If issue persists, kindly send a screenshot of the error message to enquiries@tonyelumelufoundation.org
- Q: Can I edit my application after submission?
A: Once submitted, applications cannot be edited. We recommend reviewing your application thoroughly before submitting.
- Q: What is the next step after applying on TEFConnect?
A: 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.
- Q: Can I reapply after being ineligible in previous years?
A: Yes, we encourage you to reapply to our programme until you are successful. However, participants disqualified from previous programmes are not allowed to reapply to any of the programmes.
- Q: If I have received seed capital from the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, can I apply to the other programmes as a fresh applicant?
A: No, Entrepreneurs who have received seed capital from any of the programmes implemented by the Tony Elumelu Foundation are considered as Alumni and are not eligible to apply to any of the programmes.
- Q: What are the criteria to be reviewed after I submit my application, and I meet or exceed Cut-off score?
A: 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.
- Q: Which mobile number should I use for application?
A: It is advisable to use a phone number that you have access to 24hrs and is accessible via WhatsApp number.
- Q: Does it mean I am eligible to receive seed capital immediately after application?
A: No, participants who are shortlisted after the application will need to complete all programme phases and meet the specific programme requirements to become eligible for seed capital.
- Q: I have two ideas. Can I submit them separately?
A: No, Applicants are expected to apply with only one existing business or business idea. Applicants found to have applied multiple times in the same cycle or in different cycles will be disqualified.
- Q: Can I apply with 2 email addresses?
A: Applicants are only allowed to submit applications using one email address. Duplicate applications submitted with two or more email addresses will not be considered.
- Q: What documents do we need to upload when applying?
A: When filling 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 programme. The documents are:
- Valid Government-issued Identification
- Applicant’s headshot
- Official Business Registration Certificate- Businesses already operational