Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 (2026/27): 100 Entrepreneurship Fellowships for African MSMEs

Overview

The Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 for 2026/27 is an African Union startup acceleration initiative for small and medium-sized African enterprises. It is run by the African Union Commission's Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals and is linked to the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area. The second cohort will select 100 fellows from across all 55 African Union Member States, aiming for US$2 million in new attributable revenue and 500 new jobs. The first cohort, in 2024/25, trained 56 fellows from 30 countries and generated more than US$1 million in deals and contracts.

Who can apply

The programme targets youth- and women-led small enterprises. A business must be formally registered and operating in an AU Member State, have been trading for at least two years and employ at least three full-time staff. It must work in one of seven sectors: manufacturing, agro-processing, creative industries, ICT and digital, fintech, health, or logistics and transport.

Fellows are placed in three tiers. Growth suits businesses operating for 2 to 5 years with market traction. Expansion suits those operating 5 to 10 years with 10 to 30 employees and cross-border ambitions. Scale-Ready suits businesses with 10 or more years of operation or an investor-ready profile. At least 40 percent of places are reserved for representation across the five AU regions, and at least five go to small island Member States. Current and former African Union Commission staff, employees of EAN institutional partners, staff of Regional Economic Communities and graduates of earlier EAN cohorts cannot apply.

What you get

The 12-month programme includes training across 10 modules tailored to sector and tier, mentorship through African Union partners, access to the African Trade Observatory and AfCFTA market-intelligence tools, intellectual property support and participation in continental events. Tier 1 and Tier 2 fellows join virtual market-entry sessions covering 10 AfCFTA pilot countries, while Tier 3 fellows take part in business-to-business matchmaking.

How to apply

Applications are made online. Applicants give details on registration, sector, years of operation, employees, trading countries, revenue range, intellectual property status and access to formal finance, and submit a written pitch of up to 800 words describing the business, its main challenge and what it hopes to gain. Shortlisted applicants must later provide evidence of access to formal finance, such as a bank or mobile money statement. Misrepresentation leads to disqualification and permanent ineligibility for future cohorts.

Key dates

Applications opened on 31 July 2026 and close on 30 September 2026. Results are expected in October 2026, and the programme begins in November 2026.