Call for Applications: Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 (2026/27)

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme is an African Union initiative designed to accelerate the growth, competitiveness, and market access of youth- and women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Africa. The second cohort will support 100 fellows from all 55 African Union Member States through structured training, mentorship, intellectual property support, and opportunities to access African markets.

About the Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship

The EAN Fellowship Programme builds on the success of its first cohort, which trained 56 fellows from 30 African countries and facilitated more than USD 1 million in business deals. Cohort 2 aims to expand this impact by strengthening enterprise capabilities, encouraging intra-African trade, supporting job creation, and helping promising businesses take advantage of opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The programme provides tailored support based on the maturity and growth ambitions of participating enterprises. Fellowship Tiers

The programme has three fellowship tiers:

Growth: Designed for enterprises seeking to strengthen their foundations and accelerate business growth.

Expansion: Intended for businesses ready to enter new markets and expand their operations.

Scale-Ready: Designed for enterprises with strong growth potential that are prepared for larger-scale market opportunities and cross-border business.

What Does the Fellowship Provide? All selected fellows receive 12 months of structured support. The programme is designed to help participating businesses improve their competitiveness and identify new commercial opportunities across Africa. Market Access Opportunities Market access is a major component of the fellowship. Tier 1 and Tier 2 fellows will participate in virtual market-entry sessions covering ten AfCFTA pilot countries. These sessions are intended to help enterprises understand market opportunities and prepare for expansion into other African countries. Tier 3 fellows will participate in B2B matchmaking sessions designed to connect scale-ready enterprises with potential business partners and facilitate cross-border commercial opportunities. Eligible Business Sectors Cohort 2 supports seven sectors organised into two clusters. These sectors are aligned with priorities under the African Continental Free Trade Area. Who Can Apply? The fellowship is open to youth- and women-led small enterprises operating in African Union Member States.

Applicants must generally:

Be registered and operating in an AU Member State. Have been operating for at least two years. Employ at least three full-time staff. Operate within one of the programme’s eligible sectors. Demonstrate potential for growth and market expansion. The programme particularly encourages applications from women-led businesses, enterprises from underrepresented African regions, and businesses based in small island Member States. Representation Across Africa The programme seeks broad geographic representation across the African continent. At least 40 places are reserved to support representation across all five AU continental regions. In addition, at least five places are reserved for enterprises from small island Member States. This approach is intended to ensure that businesses from different parts of Africa can benefit from the fellowship and participate in intra-African trade opportunities. Why Should Businesses Apply? The EAN Fellowship can provide participating enterprises with more than conventional business training.

Key opportunities include:

Building stronger business management capabilities. What is the Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship Programme? The Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship Programme is an African Union initiative that provides training, mentorship, market intelligence, intellectual property support, and market access opportunities to eligible youth- and women-led enterprises across Africa. How many fellows will be selected for Cohort 2? Cohort 2 will expand to 100 fellows representing all 55 African Union Member States. How long does the fellowship last? The fellowship provides 12 months of structured training, mentorship, and business support. What are the three fellowship tiers? The three tiers are Growth, Expansion, and Scale-Ready, with support tailored to the maturity and market ambitions of participating enterprises. Which sectors are eligible? Eligible sectors include manufacturing, agro-processing, creative industries, ICT and digital, fintech, health, and logistics and transport. Who is eligible to apply? Youth- and women-led small enterprises that are registered and operating in an AU Member State can apply, provided they meet the programme’s requirements, including the minimum two-year operating history and three full-time employees. Does the programme support women-led businesses? Yes. Women-led enterprises are particularly encouraged to apply. Are small island businesses eligible? Yes. The programme specifically encourages applications from small island Member States, with at least five places reserved for enterprises from these countries. What market access support is available? Tier 1 and Tier 2 fellows receive virtual market-entry support across ten AfCFTA pilot countries, while Tier 3 fellows participate in B2B matchmaking sessions aimed at developing cross-border business opportunities. Do fellows receive mentorship? Yes. All selected fellows receive expert mentorship as part of the 12-month programme. Conclusion The Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship Programme offers African MSMEs an opportunity to strengthen their business capabilities while gaining access to mentorship, market intelligence, intellectual property support, and cross-border opportunities. With 100 places in Cohort 2 and participation open across all 55 AU Member States, the programme is particularly relevant for ambitious youth- and women-led enterprises seeking to exp