Published: 24 Aug 2026 195 views
The Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme is an AUC Startup Acceleration Initiative and the African Union's flagship programme for the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Implemented by the AU Commission's Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM), the programme provides Africa's most promising entrepreneurs with structured training, expert mentorship, intellectual property support, and direct market access opportunities across the continent and beyond.
The EAN's inaugural cohort (2024/25) trained 56 fellows from 30 African countries and produced over USD 1 million in deals and contracts. Cohort 2 (2026/27) will expand the programme to 100 fellows drawn from all 55 AU Member States, targeting USD 2 million in new attributable revenue and 500 new jobs.
The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). The main objectives of the OAU were to rid the continent of the remaining vestiges of colonisation and apartheid; to promote unity and solidarity amongst African States; to coordinate and intensify cooperation for development; to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States and to promote international cooperation ... continue reading
| Application Deadline | 30 Sep 2026 |
| Type | Fellowship |
| Sponsor | African Union |
| Gender | Men and Women |
All fellows receive: twelve months of structured training across ten modules differentiated by sector and tier; expert mentorship through African Union Partners, access to the African Trade Observatory (ATO) and AfCFTA market intelligence tools; and participation in continental events. Tier 1 and 2 fellows participate in virtual market-entry sessions across ten AfCFTA pilot countries; Tier 3 fellows participate in B2B matchmaking sessions.
The EAN Fellowship is open to youth- and women-led small enterprises that are: registered and operating in an AU Member State; formally registered as a business entity; operating for at least two years; and employing a minimum of three full-time staff. Applications are particularly encouraged from women-led enterprises and businesses from underrepresented AU regions and small island Member States.
Check also:
Commonwealth Master's Scholarship to Study in UK 2027/2028
Mandela Washington Fellowship for Africans 2027 (Fully Funded to USA)
Applications are submitted online, click APPLY HERE or EAN FELLOWSHIP 2026
For further information, please contact [email protected]
For more Information, visit African Union Fellowship webpage
