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African Union Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme 2026/2027
African Union Commission (ETTIM Department)
0 days left · 30 Sep 2026
About this opportunity
12-month fellowship for youth- and women-led MSMEs registered in an AU Member State, operating ≥2 years with ≥3 full-time staff. Includes structured training, mentorship, market access tools, and continental events.
The African Union’s Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 (2026/27) accelerates high-potential MSMEs through twelve months of sector-specific training, expert mentorship, AfCFTA market intelligence, and continental networking.
What it offers
- Twelve months of structured training across ten modules, tailored by sector and tier
- Expert mentorship via African Union partners and access to the African Trade Observatory and AfCFTA tools
- Tier 1 & 2 fellows: virtual market-entry sessions across ten AfCFTA pilot countries
- Tier 3 fellows: B2O matchmaking sessions
- Programme runs November 2026–October 2027
Who can apply
- Youth- and women-led small enterprises registered and operating in an AU Member State
- Businesses formally registered, operating ≥2 years, employing ≥3 full-time staff
- Applications encouraged from women-led enterprises and businesses in underrepresented regions and small island states
- Ineligible: current/former AUC staff, EAN partners, REC staff, and past EAN fellows
What you'll do
- Receive tailored training, mentorship, and market access support aligned to one of three tiers:
- Tier 1 – Growth: 35 places for firms operating 2–5 years with ≥3 employees
- Tier 2 – Expansion: 40 places for firms operating 5–10 years with 10–30 employees
- Tier 3 – Scale-Ready: 25 places for firms operating ≥10 years or investor-ready
- Minimum 40 places reserved for balanced regional representation; ≥5 places for small island states
How to apply
- Submit online via the EAN Fellowship 2026 portal
- Provide business registration details, sector, years operating, employee count, trading countries, revenue range, IP status, and finance access
- Include an 800-word pitch covering the enterprise, main market challenge, and fellowship objective
- Shortlisted applicants must later submit one finance-access document (bank/mobile money statement)
Good to know
- Application opens 31 July 2026; deadline 30 September 2026
- Results communicated October 2026
- Misrepresentation leads to immediate disqualification and permanent ineligibility
This summary is AI-generated from the official posting. Always verify every detail on the official site before applying.
Key details
TypeFellowship
LocationPan-African
Deadline30 Sep 2026
EligibilityAfrica
Open to applicants across Africa.
Source : au.int · Always verify details on the official site.