Uganda Registers Winners as Tony Elumelu Foundation Unveils the First Batch of African Entrepreneurs for 2026 

Uganda has been represented among the top beneficiaries of the 2026 Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme, with 12 entrepreneurs selected in the first batch of 1,951 winners from a highly competitive pool of applicants across the continent.

The announcement was made during the official unveiling ceremony held at Transcorp Hilton Abuja, where 1,951 entrepreneurs were revealed as part of the broader 3,200 beneficiaries to be supported by the Foundation in 2026.

The cohort was selected from over 260,000 applications spanning 54 African countries.

The 3,200 winners for 2026 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme will be awarded in multiple batches to enhance inclusiveness and sectoral impact.

The first batch comprises of 1,951 entrepreneurs who were unvailed yesterday under the TEF flagship programme for youths .Additional cohorts include 100 entrepreneurs under the Waste Management Programme, 100 entrepreneurs under the *Aguka Programme* for Rwanda, and 1,049 entrepreneurs under the Women for Africa initiative—where increased Ugandan representation is anticipated. All the above are to be awarded soon this year.

Each selected entrepreneur will receive USD 5,000 in seed capital, alongside comprehensive business training, mentorship, and access to a robust pan-African network designed to accelerate business growth and job creation through a 360-degree support system.

While Uganda’s inclusion in this cohort reflects continued participation in Africa’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, it also underscores the need to strengthen competitiveness and increase engagement in future application cycles.

Across the continent, women account for 51% of the selected entrepreneurs, while men represent 49%, highlighting the Foundation’s strong commitment to gender inclusion.

Speaking at the event, Tony Elumelu emphasized the critical role of entrepreneurship in driving Africa’s economic transformation and addressing youth unemployment. He also acknowledged the importance of an enabling environment in supporting entrepreneurial success.

Co-Founder Awele Vivian Elumelu encouraged unsuccessful applicants to remain resilient and to continue pursuing future opportunities under the programme.

The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme remains one of Africa’s foremost initiatives supporting entrepreneurs through funding, capacity building, and mentorship.

Applications for the next cycle are currently ongoing, and Ugandans—along with other Africans—are encouraged to apply before the end of March 2026.

From L-R CEO of the The Tony Elumelu Foundation, Founder Tony Elumelu CFR and cofounder Dr. Awele Elumelu.

From L-R Oge Elumelu, Founder Tony Elumelu CFR and cofounder Dr. Awele Elumelu.