Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 (2026/27): 100 Entrepreneurship Fellowships for African MSMEs
The Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 (2026/27) is an African Union startup acceleration initiative supporting 100 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across all 55 AU Member States.
Overview
The Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 (2026/27) is a flagship African Union startup acceleration initiative implemented by the Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM). Aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the programme aims to select 100 fellows to generate new revenue and create jobs across the continent.
Selected entrepreneurs receive a 12-month package combining structured training across 10 modules, expert mentorship, African Trade Observatory market intelligence, intellectual property support, and continental networking events. The initiative features three distinct fellowship tiers based on enterprise maturity: Tier 1 (Growth), Tier 2 (Expansion), and Tier 3 (Scale-Ready).
Eligibility
To qualify for the fellowship, applicant enterprises must satisfy the following criteria:
- Be registered and operating within an African Union Member State.
- Be formally registered as a business entity.
- Have been operating for a minimum of two years.
- Employ at least three full-time staff members.
- Operate within one of seven designated sectors split across a Products Cluster (Manufacturing, Agro-processing, Creative Industries) and a Services Cluster (ICT and Digital, Fintech, Health, Logistics and Transport).
- Be youth- or women-led enterprises.
Current or former staff of the African Union Commission, employees of institutional partners, staff of Regional Economic Communities, and graduates of previous EAN cohorts are strictly ineligible.
Benefits
- Twelve months of structured business training tailored to sector and enterprise tier.
- Expert mentorship through African Union partners.
- Access to the African Trade Observatory and AfCFTA market-intelligence tools.
- Participation in virtual market-entry sessions covering 10 pilot countries (for Tiers 1 and 2) or B2B matchmaking sessions (for Tier 3).
- Opportunities to connect with potential business partners and markets across Africa.
How to Apply
Candidates must submit their applications online through the official platform. Applicants are required to provide comprehensive enterprise details and a written pitch of up to 800 words describing their business, key challenges, and goals for the fellowship.
Deadline
Applications must be submitted by 30 September 2026.