Wednesday, February 03, 2021 / 06:00PM / Tony Elumelu Foundation / HeaderImage Credit: Tony Elumelu Foundation

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Africa's leadingphilanthropy dedicated to empowering African entrepreneurs, is currentlyrunning applications on its TEFConnect digital platform (www.tefconnect.com) till March 31, 2021, for its2021 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme. This year's intervention prioritizes theeconomic recovery of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) and youngAfrican entrepreneurs, following the Covid-19 disruption to economicactivities.

To address the unique challenges arising from thepandemic, lift millions out of poverty and create sustainable employment acrossthe continent, the Foundation's Entrepreneurship Programme will empower 1,000young African entrepreneurs, selected from the 2020 cohort.  TheFoundation will also open applications to an additional 2,400 youngentrepreneurs in 2021, in collaboration with global partners.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation, which celebrated ten yearsof impact in 2020, is empowering a new generation of African entrepreneurs,through the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme.  Successful applicants receivea world-class business training, mentorship, non-refundable seed capital up to$5,000, and global networking opportunities.  The Programme is open toentrepreneurs across Africa, both new start-ups and existing young businesses,operating in any sector.

CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwustated, "The Tony Elumelu Foundation now more than ever is demonstrating ourcommitment to unleashing the potential of young African entrepreneurs, the keyto Africa's long-term economic transformation.  The pandemic has createdchallenges across the continent, but we know that with the Tony ElumeluFoundation's tried and tested Programme, we can execute the largest Covid-19economic recovery plan for African SMEs and break the cycle of poverty inAfrica."

The Tony Elumelu Foundation's $100millionEntrepreneurship Programme, launched in 2015 to empower 10,000 entrepreneursover 10 years, is now entering its 7^th year andhas empowered to date, over 9,000 young African entrepreneurs from 54 Africancountries. Prospective applicants should apply on the digital networking hubfor African entrepreneurs, www.tefconnect.com.

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