Most funding programmes quietly assume you are 30, have a registered company and a pitch deck. The Anzisha Venture Building Fellowship goes the other way. It is built for founders aged 15 to 22 who are already running something real.
Applications for the 2027 cohort opened on September 29, 2026 and close on November 10, 2026. If you are a young Nigerian selling, producing or building anything with paying customers, read on.
About the Programme
Anzisha is run by the African Leadership Academy in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. For over a decade it has been finding Africa’s youngest serious entrepreneurs and helping them grow businesses that create jobs.
The fellowship runs for two years. Rather than handing out one lump sum and walking away, Anzisha ties support to progress, so fellows grow step by step with coaches watching their numbers alongside them.
Benefits
- Milestone-based cash stipends: money released as your business hits agreed targets, which keeps you disciplined
- $40,000 prize pool: at the end of year two, fellows pitch for prizes in four categories: Job Creation, Revenue Growth, Storytelling and Systems of Delivery
- Finance readiness support: help building proper financial systems and investor-ready materials
- Experiential learning: shadowing successful entrepreneurs to see real decision-making up close
- Hybrid courses: self-paced digital lessons plus live sessions, with coaches helping you apply them
Notice that the prize categories reward different strengths. A founder with modest revenue but strong hiring, or a great brand story, still has a real shot.
Eligibility Criteria
- Aged between 15 and 22 years
- A citizen of an African country (Nigerians qualify) with a valid national ID or passport
- Already started a business or project, not just an idea
- The founder actively leading the venture
- Able to commit at least 20 hours a week to the business
That 20-hour rule matters. If you are in school, think honestly about whether you can carry both before you apply.
Documents Needed to Apply
- Valid national ID (NIN slip) or international passport proving African citizenship and age
- A clear description of your business: what you sell, who buys it and how long you have been operating
- Evidence of traction, such as sales records, customer numbers or staff count
- Your personal story as a founder and why you started
- Parent or guardian consent, if you are under 18 (check the portal for the exact requirement)
Anzisha wants proof you are actually building, so write down your real numbers now, even if they are small. If your business is still informal, getting it registered with CAC is a simple way to show you are serious and it will help when you open a business account for your stipends.
Key Details at a Glance
Programme: Anzisha Venture Building Fellowship 2027
Organizer: Anzisha Prize (African Leadership Academy and Mastercard Foundation)
Eligible location: Citizens of African countries, including Nigeria, aged 15 to 22
Funding available: Milestone-based cash stipends plus a share of $40,000 in prizes
Application deadline: November 10, 2026
How to Apply
- Read the full programme details and FAQs on the official Anzisha Fellowship page.
- Gather your ID, business numbers and a short write-up of your journey.
- Start your application through the Anzisha Fellowship application portal and answer every question in your own voice.
- Submit before November 10, 2026 and save your confirmation email.
- Watch your inbox. Evaluation runs from November 2026 to March 2027, with fellows announced in May 2027.
The selection process is long, so do not stop working on your business while you wait. Anything you achieve between now and the interviews strengthens your case.
Final Thoughts
Two years of coaching and staged funding is worth more than a one-off grant for most young founders. If you know a teenager or student hustling with a real business, send this to them today.
For more open grants, accelerators and competitions, check our list of the latest opportunities for the month.