Anzisha Fellowship for Young African Entrepreneurs 2027

Applications are open for the 2027 Anzisha Fellowship, a multi year entrepreneurship development programme supporting some of Africa’s youngest business founders. The initiative is designed for young entrepreneurs who have moved beyond the idea stage and are already operating businesses, inventions or social projects with customers, revenue or beneficiaries.

The Anzisha Fellowship is run by African Leadership Academy in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. It aims to help young African entrepreneurs strengthen their ventures, improve their business operations, create employment opportunities and build sustainable enterprises.

Unlike programmes that focus mainly on business ideas, Anzisha works with founders who have already demonstrated initiative by starting and leading real ventures. Selected fellows receive personalised coaching, structured learning, milestone based financial support and access to a network of entrepreneurs from across Africa.

About the Anzisha Fellowship

The Anzisha Fellowship is a long term venture development programme that supports young entrepreneurs as they build and expand businesses that create economic and social value.

Its approach combines business education with practical application. Rather than providing training that remains theoretical, the programme encourages fellows to apply what they learn directly to their ventures, with guidance from experienced coaches.

Participants strengthen their understanding of business management, financial planning, leadership, operational systems and job creation. They also gain exposure to experienced entrepreneurs and connect with peers facing similar challenges in different African markets.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows gain access to several forms of business development support throughout the programme.

Benefits include:

• Milestone based cash stipends: Financial support linked to progress and achievements within the business.
• Personalised coaching: Regular guidance from experienced venture partners to help founders address business challenges.
• Entrepreneurial education: Self paced digital courses and live learning sessions covering practical business and leadership skills.
• Financial readiness support: Assistance with strengthening financial systems, business records and investor ready materials.
• Experiential learning: Opportunities to shadow established entrepreneurs and learn from their business decisions and operations.
• Technical support: Access to specialised expertise and service providers to address specific business needs.
• Leadership development: Training to strengthen decision making, management and entrepreneurial capabilities.
• Pan African network: Connections with a community of young entrepreneurs from different African countries.
• Business growth support: Guidance to improve operations, strengthen teams, increase revenue and create jobs.

Who Can Apply?

The Anzisha Fellowship is specifically designed for very young African entrepreneurs who are already building businesses.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be between 15 and 22 years old.
• Be a citizen of an African country.
• Have a valid national identity document or passport.
• Be a founding member of the business or project being submitted.
• Be actively involved in leading the venture.
• Spend at least 20 hours per week working on the business.
• Have already started the business, invention or social project.
• Operate the venture in Africa and serve African customers or beneficiaries.
• Be able to demonstrate real business activity, such as customers, sales, revenue or beneficiaries.

Business Requirements

The fellowship is open to businesses and social projects in any sector or industry. There is no requirement for the venture to belong to a particular field.

However, the business must already be operating. Applicants cannot apply with only a business idea, proposal or plan that has not been implemented.

Examples of acceptable evidence of business activity include:

• Records of customers or people using the product or service.
• Sales records or evidence of revenue.
• Photographs of products, services or business activities.
• Evidence of beneficiaries reached by a social enterprise or community project.
• Information demonstrating that the venture is actively serving an African market.

Programme Focus Areas

The Anzisha Fellowship supports entrepreneurs working across different industries. Its central focus is helping young founders build sustainable businesses that can grow and create employment.

The programme supports development in several areas:

Business growth and revenue: Fellows learn how to improve their products and services, understand customers and develop strategies for increasing business revenue.

Financial management: Participants receive support to improve financial systems, understand business performance and prepare for future investment opportunities.

Job creation: The programme encourages entrepreneurs to build ventures that generate meaningful employment and economic opportunities.

Leadership and management: Founders develop the skills needed to manage teams, make strategic decisions and lead growing organisations.

Operational development: Fellows work on improving business processes, strengthening delivery systems and building structures that can support expansion.

Entrepreneurial resilience: Through coaching and peer learning, participants gain support as they navigate the challenges of running and growing a business.

Application Requirements

Applicants should consult the official application guide before completing the online form. The guide explains the eligibility conditions and the documents, information and images required.

Candidates should be prepared to provide:

• A valid national identity document, passport or other accepted identification.
• Personal and contact information.
• Details of the business or social project.
• Information about the applicant's role as a founder.
• Evidence that the venture is already operating.
• Information about customers, revenue, sales or beneficiaries.
• Photographs or other supporting materials requested in the application guide.

How to Apply

Interested young entrepreneurs should submit their applications through the official Anzisha platform.

1. Check your eligibility: Confirm that you meet the age, citizenship, identification and business ownership requirements.
2. Review the business conditions: Make sure your venture has already started operating, serves African customers or beneficiaries and can demonstrate real activity.
3. Download the application guide: Visit the official Anzisha website and obtain the guide in your preferred language.
4. Prepare supporting evidence: Gather your identification document, business information, photographs and other materials requested in the guide.
5. Complete the online application: Visit the official application portal and provide accurate information about yourself and your venture.
6. Submit before the deadline: Review your responses and supporting materials carefully before submitting the application.
7. Monitor programme updates: Follow communications from Anzisha regarding the evaluation process and announcement of the selected fellows.