Uganda: 12 Ugandans Among Beneficiaires in First Batch of 2026 Tony Elumelu Foundation Program

Uganda has been represented among the beneficiaries of the 2026 Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme, with 12 entrepreneurs selected in the first batch of 1,951 winners announced across the continent.

The announcement was made during an official unveiling ceremony held at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, where the Foundation revealed the first cohort of entrepreneurs under its 2026 programme.

The 1,951 beneficiaries form part of a broader group of 3,200 entrepreneurs to be supported this year. The cohort was selected from more than 260,000 applications submitted across 54 African countries, highlighting the programme's competitiveness and reach.

According to the Foundation, the 2026 beneficiaries will be unveiled in multiple batches to enhance inclusiveness and sectoral impact. In addition to the first cohort, upcoming groups will include 100 entrepreneurs under the Waste Management Programme, 100 under the Aguka Programme for Rwanda, and 1,049 under the Women for Africa initiative--where increased Ugandan representation is anticipated.

Each selected entrepreneur will receive seed capital of USD 5,000, along with comprehensive business training, mentorship, and access to a pan-African network aimed at accelerating enterprise growth and job creation.

Uganda's inclusion in the first cohort reflects its continued participation in Africa's entrepreneurship ecosystem, though analysts note the need to strengthen competitiveness and increase representation in future cycles.

Across the continent, women account for 51 percent of the selected entrepreneurs, compared to 49 percent men, underscoring the Foundation's commitment to gender inclusion.

Speaking at the event, Tony Elumelu emphasized the role of entrepreneurship in driving Africa's economic transformation and tackling youth unemployment, while also highlighting the importance of a supportive business environment.

Co-founder Awele Vivian Elumelu encouraged unsuccessful applicants to remain resilient and continue applying in future cycles.

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

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

Read the original article on Nile Post.