African Union Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship Programme
FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Organization: African Union Commission
Programme: Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship Programme Cohort 2
Fellowship Type: Entrepreneurship
Programme Duration: 12 months
Application Deadline: 30th September 2026
Programme Start: November 2026
About the Fellowship
The African Union Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship Programme is an African Union startup acceleration initiative designed to support promising African micro, small and medium enterprises.
The 12 month programme provides selected entrepreneurs with structured business training, expert mentorship, intellectual property support, market intelligence and opportunities to access markets across Africa and beyond.
The programme is implemented by the African Union Commission Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals.
Cohort 2 will support 100 fellows from across the 55 African Union Member States, with a focus on youth and women led enterprises and businesses from underrepresented regions.
Who Should Apply
The enterprise must be youth or women led.
Must be registered and operating in an African Union Member State.
Must be formally registered as a business entity.
Must have been operating for at least 2 years.
Must employ at least 3 full time staff.
Applications are particularly encouraged from women led enterprises, businesses from underrepresented African regions and enterprises from small island Member States.
Fellowship Sectors
Products Cluster
Manufacturing
Agro processing
Creative Industries
Services Cluster
ICT and Digital
Fintech
Health
Logistics and Transport
Fellowship Tiers
Tier 1 Growth
35 places
Businesses operating for 2 to 5 years with at least 3 employees and demonstrable market traction.
Tier 2 Expansion
40 places
Businesses operating for 5 to 10 years with 10 to 30 employees and cross border ambitions.
Tier 3 Scale Ready
25 places
Businesses operating for 10 years or more or those with an investor ready profile.
Benefits
12 months of structured business training across 10 modules.
Expert mentorship through African Union partners.
Intellectual property support.
Access to African Trade Observatory and AfCFTA market intelligence tools.
Market entry opportunities across selected AfCFTA pilot countries.
B2B matchmaking opportunities for eligible fellows.
Participation in continental events.
Virtual market entry sessions for Tier 1 and Tier 2 fellows.
B2B matchmaking sessions for Tier 3 fellows.
Programme Targets
Cohort 2 will expand the programme to 100 fellows from all 55 African Union Member States.
The programme aims to generate USD 2 million in new attributable revenue and support the creation of 500 new jobs.
Key Dates
Application Opens: 31st July 2026
Application Deadline: 30th September 2026
Results Communicated: October 2026
Programme Commences: November 2026
How to Apply
Eligible entrepreneurs should submit their applications through the African Union Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship application process.
Official Call for Applications
