African Union Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme 2026/2027 for Youth- and Women-Led SMEs

The African Union Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme 2026/2027 is now open to established small businesses led by young people and women across Africa. The second cohort of this African Union startup acceleration initiative will select 100 fellows from all 55 AU Member States and provide structured business training, expert mentorship, intellectual property support and access to markets. Applications close on September 30, 2026.

What Is the EAN Fellowship Programme?

The Enterprise Africa Network is an initiative of the African Union Commission’s Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM). It is designed to help promising African MSMEs become stronger businesses and access opportunities beyond their home markets.

The first cohort, which ran in 2024/2025, trained 56 fellows from 30 African countries and reportedly generated more than US$1 million in deals and contracts.

The second cohort is considerably larger. The AU plans to select 100 businesses from all 55 AU Member States, with a target of generating US$2 million in new attributable revenue and 500 new jobs through the programme. (African Union)

This is therefore more suitable for a business that is already operating than someone who is still trying to turn an idea into a company.

Who Can Apply?

The African Union EAN Fellowship 2026/2027 is specifically looking for youth-led and women-led small enterprises.

To qualify, the business must:

• Be registered and operating in an African Union Member State.
• Be formally registered as a business entity.
• Have been operating for at least two years.
• Employ at least three full-time staff.

The AU is particularly encouraging applications from women-led businesses, enterprises from underrepresented African regions and businesses from small island Member States.

This requirement makes the fellowship quite different from many entrepreneurship opportunities advertised online. You cannot simply apply with an interesting business idea. Your company needs to have a track record.

What Sectors Are Covered?

The EAN Fellowship covers businesses operating in sectors connected to African trade and economic development.

The programme groups its focus areas into two broad clusters aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

This gives businesses in areas such as manufacturing, agriculture, digital services, trade, creative industries and other commercially viable sectors an opportunity to participate, provided they fit the programme’s requirements.

Applicants should pay particular attention to how their business can grow beyond its current market. The programme is built around helping African businesses access wider markets, including opportunities created by continental trade.

What Will Selected Businesses Receive?

The EAN Fellowship is not simply a cash grant.

The main support includes:

Business Training: ellows receive structured training designed to address practical issues involved in running and expanding a business.

Expert Mentorship: Participants will have access to experienced professionals who can provide guidance on business development and growth.

Intellectual Property Support: The programme includes intellectual property support, which can be particularly useful for businesses developing brands, products, technologies or other assets that need protection as they enter new markets.

Market Access: One of the strongest features of the fellowship is its focus on connecting businesses with markets across Africa and beyond.

For an established Nigerian business, for example, the value may come from finding customers, distributors or commercial partners in another African country.

Continental Business Network: Participants also become part of a network of entrepreneurs operating across different African markets.

What Does the AU Hope to Achieve?

The numbers attached to Cohort 2 show that the AU is looking beyond training.

The programme aims to help the 100 participating businesses generate US$2 million in additional attributable revenue and create 500 new jobs.

That focus on revenue and employment is important.

A business applying for this fellowship should be able to explain where it is today, what is preventing it from growing and what it could achieve if it gains access to better skills, markets and business connections.

Is There Any Funding?

The official AU announcement does not present the EAN Fellowship as a conventional cash grant programme.

Its main benefits are acceleration, training, mentorship, intellectual property assistance and market access.

Shortlisted applicants will, however, be asked to provide a document showing access to finance, such as a bank statement or mobile money statement. The AU says this document is not required at the initial application stage.

Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that the EAN Fellowship itself will give every selected business a cash grant.

Application Deadline

Deadline: September 30, 2026.

The application for African Union Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship is currently opened to eligible businesses across all 55 African Union Member States.

How to Apply

The safest place to apply and confirm the latest requirements is the African Union’s official announcement:

Official application information: African Union Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship 2026/2027

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