TEF 2026 Program: 19 Ivorian Entrepreneurs Among 3,200 Selected Across Africa

The 2026 cohort of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Program highlights 19 Ivorian entrepreneurs, chosen from 3,200 beneficiaries across the African continent.

This year, a total of 3,200 project leaders were selected from hundreds of thousands of applications submitted by candidates from all 54 African countries. Among them, Côte d’Ivoire stands out with 19 young entrepreneurs whose initiatives impressed the selection committee with their relevance and potential.

The 2026 cohort demonstrates gender balance, with 51% women and 49% men, reflecting the program’s commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity in African entrepreneurship.

Youth are at the forefront, making up 75% of the beneficiaries aged 18 to 35, highlighting the central role of young people in driving the continent’s economic transformation.

The 19 Ivorian alumni, now part of this prestigious Pan-African network, will benefit from comprehensive support including training, mentorship, and startup funding to bring their projects to life and scale them.

Their selection strengthens the visibility of Ivorian entrepreneurship on the African and international stage, inspiring a new generation of young people to engage in value creation and innovation.