TEFCONNECT Application Form 2024/2025 Tony Elumelu Foundation |TEFconnect.com
The Tony Elumelu Foundation, established in 2010 by Nigerian investor Tony Elumelu, is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering African youth and fostering entrepreneurship across the continent. With a mission to drive development through self-made opportunities, the foundation has successfully supported thousands of young entrepreneurs since its launch in 2015.
TEFCONNECT Program:
One of the foundation’s flagship initiatives is the TEFCONNECT program, which aims to empower and train young entrepreneurs. The program, initially set to empower 10,000 youths in ten years, faced a temporary setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the foundation, backed by Tony Elumelu’s investment company Heirs Holdings, has devised an innovative plan to meet and surpass its goals.
Application Process:
The TEFCONNECT program, currently in its 8th edition, has opened its application portal for the 2022 batch. The foundation plans to train and fund 2,000 candidates, including 1,000 from the 2020 batch and 1,000 new applicants. To ensure fairness, unsuccessful applicants from the previous year will not be allowed to reapply.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for the TEFCONNECT entrepreneurship program, applicants must meet specific criteria:
- Have existing innovative businesses or viable business ideas in the gestation stage (0 to 3 years).
- Be African startup entrepreneurs with businesses or business ideas based in Africa.
- The business or idea must be profitable, and applicants must demonstrate the potential to create employment.
How to Apply:
For registered users, the application process involves signing in to the official TEFCONNECT website, filling in the required information accurately, and submitting the application. First-time users need to register on the website, set up an account, and follow the same steps for registered users.
FAQs:
Q: Can applicants from the previous year reapply? A: No, to give new applicants a fair opportunity, unsuccessful candidates from the previous year cannot reapply.
Q: What is the eligibility criteria for the TEFCONNECT program? A: Applicants must have existing innovative businesses or viable business ideas in the gestation stage (0 to 3 years), be African startup entrepreneurs based in Africa, and demonstrate the profitability of their business or idea with the potential to create employment.
Selection Process and Benefits:
After the application period, shortlisted candidates will undergo business training and submit viable business plans. The top-performing entrepreneurs will participate in a pitching phase across 54 African countries. Successful candidates will receive a non-refundable seed capital of $5,000, and the beneficiaries will be announced at the TEF Forum, with their success showcased on the TEFCONNECT website.
Conclusion:
The Tony Elumelu Foundation continues to be a catalyst for change, shaping the future of African entrepreneurship by providing essential support and resources to the continent’s aspiring young business leaders. The TEFCONNECT program stands as a beacon of hope, fostering a new generation of self-driven and successful entrepreneurs across Africa.