African Union Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship 2026/27: Supporting 100 African Entrepreneurs Across 7 High-Growth Sectors
The African Union (AU) has opened applications for the Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 (2026/27), an opportunity designed to help ambitious African entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses, access new markets and build sustainable growth across the continent.
The programme is part of the African Union Commission’s startup acceleration efforts and focuses on supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that have the potential to contribute to job creation, trade and economic development in Africa.
Applications opened on 31 July 2026, with the deadline set for 30 September 2026.
What Is the Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship?
The Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship is an African Union initiative designed to help promising African businesses overcome growth barriers and take advantage of opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The inaugural EAN cohort trained 56 fellows from 30 African countries and generated more than US$1 million in deals and contracts.
For the second cohort, the programme is expanding significantly. The AU plans to select 100 fellows from all 55 AU Member States, with ambitions to generate US$2 million in new attributable revenue and create 500 new jobs.
The programme combines structured business training, expert mentorship, market intelligence, intellectual property support and opportunities to connect with potential markets and partners.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is specifically targeted at youth-led and women-led small enterprises operating within African Union Member States.
To qualify, businesses must:
- Be registered and operating in an AU Member State.
- Be formally registered as a business entity.
- Have been operating for at least two years.
- Employ at least three full-time staff members.
The AU is particularly encouraging applications from women-led businesses, enterprises from underrepresented African regions and businesses based in small island Member States.
This means the opportunity is aimed at established businesses rather than individuals who are still at the idea stage.
Seven Business Sectors Covered
The EAN Fellowship covers seven sectors divided into two major clusters.
Products Cluster
Businesses producing goods for intra-African trade can apply under:
- Manufacturing
- Agro-processing
- Creative industries
Services Cluster
The services category includes:
- ICT and digital
- Fintech
- Health
- Logistics and transport
Entrepreneurs should identify the sector that most closely reflects their primary business activities when completing their application.
Three Fellowship Tiers
One of the distinctive features of the EAN programme is that businesses will be placed into different tiers according to their level of maturity.
Tier 1 – Growth
This tier has 35 places and is intended for enterprises that have been operating for 2–5 years, employ at least three people and can demonstrate market traction.
Tier 2 – Expansion
There are 40 places for enterprises operating for 5–10 years, employing approximately 10–30 people and demonstrating ambitions to expand across borders.
Tier 3 – Scale-Ready
The programme has 25 places for businesses operating for 10 years or more, or enterprises that already demonstrate an investor-ready profile.
The tiered structure allows training and mentorship to be tailored to the actual stage of business development.
What Will Fellows Receive?
Successful fellows will participate in 12 months of structured training covering ten modules tailored according to their sector and business maturity.
They will also receive access to:
- Expert mentorship through African Union partners
- African Trade Observatory resources
- AfCFTA market intelligence tools
- Continental business and networking events
- Market-entry sessions
- Business-to-business matchmaking opportunities
Tier 1 and Tier 2 fellows will participate in virtual market-entry sessions covering 10 AfCFTA pilot countries.
Tier 3 fellows will have access to B2B matchmaking sessions, creating opportunities to connect with potential commercial partners and buyers.
Why This Opportunity Matters for African Entrepreneurs
Accessing new markets is one of the biggest challenges facing many African businesses. Even established enterprises can struggle with market information, financing, regulatory requirements, intellectual property protection and finding reliable business partners in other countries.
The EAN Fellowship is designed to address some of these challenges by connecting entrepreneurs with expertise, networks and information that can support expansion.
The programme’s focus on AfCFTA is particularly important because increased intra-African trade could create opportunities for businesses to expand beyond their domestic markets.
For entrepreneurs who already have a functioning business and are looking to scale, the fellowship could provide valuable exposure and practical support.
Application Requirements
The online application requires applicants to provide information about their enterprise, including:
- Business registration details
- Business sector
- Years of operation
- Number of employees
- Countries where the business currently trades
- Revenue range
- Intellectual property status
- Access to formal finance
Applicants must also submit a written pitch of up to 800 words explaining their enterprise, its main market challenge and what they hope to achieve through the fellowship.
Shortlisted applicants will later be asked to provide supporting evidence of access to finance, such as a bank statement or mobile money statement. This documentation is not required at the initial application stage.
Applicants should provide accurate information because the AU states that misrepresentation can lead to immediate disqualification and permanent ineligibility for future EAN fellowship cohorts.
Who Is Not Eligible?
Certain applicants are specifically excluded from the programme.
These include:
- Current and former African Union Commission staff
- Employees and representatives of EAN institutional partners
- Staff of Regional Economic Communities
- Graduates of previous EAN Fellowship cohorts
Applicants should carefully check their eligibility before submitting the form.
Important Dates
The key dates for Cohort 2 are:
- Applications open: 31 July 2026
- Application deadline: 30 September 2026
- Results announced: October 2026
- Programme begins: November 2026
The programme will select 100 fellows from across the African Union’s 55 Member States.
How to Apply
Eligible entrepreneurs can submit their application online through the African Union’s official application portal.
Apply for the EAN Fellowship – Official AU Application Form
Read the Official African Union Fellowship Announcement
For questions about the programme, applicants can contact AUEAN@AfricanUnion.org.
Final Takeaway
The Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 presents a major opportunity for established African entrepreneurs seeking to strengthen their operations, enter new markets and take advantage of continental trade opportunities.
With 100 places available, 12 months of training, expert mentorship, market intelligence and access to continental networking opportunities, the programme is particularly relevant to youth-led and women-led businesses operating in manufacturing, agro-processing, creative industries, ICT, fintech, health and logistics.
Entrepreneurs should begin preparing their business information and 800-word application pitch early rather than waiting until the deadline.
Application Deadline: 30 September 2026.
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
