The African Union Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme 2026/2027

The African Union Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 (2026/27) supports 100 entrepreneurs from all 55 AU Member States through a 12-month acceleration programme focused on structured training, mentorship, and market access.

What it offers

• Twelve months of structured training across ten modules tailored by sector and tier.
• Expert mentorship through African Union partners and access to the African Trade Observatory and AfCFTA market intelligence tools.
• Participation in continental events.
• Tier 1 and 2 fellows: virtual market-entry sessions across ten AfCFTA pilot countries.
• Tier 3 fellows: B2O matchmaking sessions.

Who can apply

• Youth- and women-led small enterprises registered and operating in an AU Member State.
• Businesses formally registered and operating for at least two years.
• Enterprises employing a minimum of three full-time staff.
• Applications are particularly encouraged from women-led enterprises and businesses from underrepresented AU regions and small island Member States.

What you'll do

• Receive tailored training, mentorship, and market access support based on enterprise maturity tier.

How to apply

• Submit an online application via the provided link.
• The application form collects business registration details, sector, years of operation, employee count, countries currently trading, revenue range, IP status, and access to formal finance, together with a written pitch of up to 800 words.
• Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide one supporting document verifying finance access (bank statement, mobile money statement, or equivalent).

Good to know

• Misrepresentation of any information will result in immediate disqualification and permanent ineligibility for all future EAN Fellowship cohorts.
• The following are not eligible to apply: current and former staff of the African Union Commission; employees and representatives of EAN institutional partners; staff of Regional Economic Communities (RECs); and graduates of any previous EAN Fellowship cohort.