Anzisha Venture Building Fellowship 2027 for Young African Entrepreneurs
Updated on 10 October 2026
The Anzisha Venture Building Fellowship 2027 is a two-year programme for African founders aged 15 to 22 who already run a business they started themselves. Fellows get cash stipends, coaching, investor-readiness support and a place in a USD 40,000 pitch competition, in a package worth USD 140,000 in total. Applications close on 10 November 2026.
| Provider | Anzisha Fellowship |
|---|---|
| Country | Open to citizens of any African country |
| Level | Young entrepreneurs aged 15 to 22 |
| Benefits | USD 140,000 total value: milestone stipends, coaching, shadowing, courses, USD 40,000 pitch prize pool |
| Deadline | 10 November 2026 |
| Official link | anzisha.org/fellowship |
Overview
The Anzisha Fellowship supports some of the youngest business owners on the continent. The 2027 edition runs over two years and is built to help founders grow what they have already started, rather than to teach them how to begin.
The support mixes money, learning and exposure. Funding is released as the business hits agreed milestones, so the cash follows real progress.
Who can apply
| Age | 15 to 22 years old, with a valid national ID or passport |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Citizen of an African country |
| Venture | A business or project you have already started |
| Leadership | You founded it and you still lead it |
| Commitment | At least 20 hours a week on the venture |
No diploma or formal training is required. What counts is a venture that exists and that you run day to day.
What fellows receive
Pitch prize pool of USD 40,000. At the end of the second year, fellows pitch their ventures and show how far they have come. The pool is shared across four categories: job creation, revenue growth, storytelling and systems of delivery.
Cash stipends. Funding is tied to business milestones, so capital arrives as the venture grows.
Finance readiness. Fellows build proper financial systems and investor-ready materials, which opens the door to funding and partnerships later.
Experiential learning. Fellows shadow high-performing entrepreneurs and see how decisions, operations and leadership work at scale.
Courses and coaching. Self-paced digital courses are paired with live sessions, and coaches follow up so the learning turns into results in the business.
Timeline
| 29 September 2026 | Applications open |
|---|---|
| 10 November 2026 | Applications close |
| November 2026 – March 2027 | Evaluation |
| May 2027 | Fellows announced |
How to apply
Applications are submitted online on the Anzisha website before 10 November 2026. Have your ID or passport ready, along with the details of the venture you founded and currently lead.
Apply on the official Anzisha Fellowship page
Founders working in technology may also want to look at the UNECA Continental Call for African AI Innovations.
If you want to build your leadership profile alongside your business, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship Programme and the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young Africans are both open to young Africans.
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