Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs Enterprising Futures Scholarship for Africans 2026

The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Dutch Enterprise Agency (RVO), partners with One Young World to offer an annual scholarship for young entrepreneurs and business leaders. The scholarship is designed to support promising changemakers who are building scalable solutions to sustainability challenges and are ready to take their impact to the next level by connecting with a global community.

Scholarship recipients will attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, where 2,000 young leaders from over 190 countries come together to share ideas, learn from global experts, and collaborate on solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. The Summit offers an inspiring environment to grow professionally, strengthen entrepreneurial skills, and build meaningful international connections that can support long-term success.

Pre-Programme 

Prior to the One Young World Summit, Enterprising Futures Scholars will attend an in-person pre-programme in Cape Town, South Africa. Over the course of two days, scholars will connect with peers and strengthen their leadership and entrepreneurial skills through workshops and other interactive activities, including a pitching competition. This will help them further scale their social impact and maximise their time at the Summit.

• Table of Content
• About Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs Enterprising Futures Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs Enterprising Futures Scholarship
• Requirements for Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs Enterprising Futures Scholarship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BZ) makes our Kingdom safer and more prosperous and works to create a just and sustainable world. BZ also supports Dutch nationals abroad 24/7. We do all this together with our partners at home and abroad. Working for the Netherlands, worldwide.  

Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs Enterprising Futures Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs Enterprising Futures Scholarship

Enterprising Futures Scholars will receive:

• Access to additional events organised by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the pre-programme.
• Access to the One Young World Summit 2026, taking place from 3 - 6 November in Cape Town, South Africa.
• Access to the One Young World Global Leadership Programme, Action Accelerator and lifetime membership to the One Young World Ambassador Community.
• Hotel accommodation for the duration of the pre-programme and Summit dates.
• One night of hotel accommodation (if required) for the visa application process.
• Return travel from your country of residence to Cape Town (flights in economy).
• Domestic travel costs to the airport to take the international flight.
• Visa costs, if applicable (including visa application fee and required travel for visa appointment).
• Catering which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the pre-programme and the Summit.
• Transport between the Summit accommodation and the Summit venue.

Requirements for Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs Enterprising Futures Scholarship Qualification

Candidates must be:

• Aged 18 – 35 by the date of the One Young World Summit 2026 in November.
• Leading or part of a scalable start-up or small to medium-sized enterprise (SME), with demonstratable social and/or environmental impact, either as an entrepreneur or similar role.
• Nationals of and residents of one of the following countries:
  • Ethiopia
  • Jordan
  • Lebanon
  • Mozambique
  • Uganda
  • Tunisia
  • Palestine
  • Egypt
  • Côte d’Ivoire
  • Kenya
  • Morocco
  • Nigeria
  • Senegal
  • Benin
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Ghana
  • South Africa
  • Burundi
  • Iraq (including Kurdistan region of Iraq)
  • Sudan
  • Mali
  • Algeria
• All candidates will be required to have a working understanding of English, as both the One Young World Summit and Enterprising Futures pre- and post-programmes will be held in English.
• Candidates must be available to join the programme full time between 30 October - 7 November, as well as pre- and post-programme dates.

The Dutch MFA values an inclusive and diverse environment. The Dutch MFA encourages all young entrepreneurs (rural-urban) that are eligible to apply (no matter race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, religion, or education). 

Check also:
Tony Elumelu Foundation African Entrepreneurship Programme 2026

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more Information, visit One Young World Scholarship webpage