The AU Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme 2026/2027 is an acceleration initiative for youth- and women-led MSMEs in Africa. It offers structured training, mentorship, IP support, and market access across various sectors, aiming to expand to 100 fellows from all 55 AU Member States.
By AU Commission’s D
The AU Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme is the African Union's flagship initiative designed to accelerate the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Managed by the AU Commission’s Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM), the program provides comprehensive support to promising entrepreneurs across Africa. Fellows receive twelve months of structured training, expert mentorship from African Union Partners, and access to critical market intelligence tools like the African Trade Observatory (ATO) and AfCFTA resources. The program also facilitates direct market access through virtual market-entry sessions in AfCFTA pilot countries for Tier 1 and 2 fellows, and B2B matchmaking for Tier 3 fellows. The inaugural cohort (2024/25) supported 56 fellows from 30 African countries, generating over USD 1 million in deals and contracts. For Cohort 2 (2026/27), the program is expanding significantly, targeting 100 fellows from all 55 AU Member States, with an ambitious goal of generating USD 2 million in new attributable revenue and creating 500 new jobs. Cohort 2 focuses on seven key sectors, organized into two clusters aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The Products Cluster includes Manufacturing, Agro-processing, and Creative Industries, while the Services Cluster covers ICT/Digital, Fintech, Health, and Logistics/Transport. Applications are particularly encouraged from women-led enterprises and businesses from underrepresented AU regions and small island Member States.
Open to youth- and women-led small enterprises that are: registered and operating in an AU Member State; Formally registered as a business entity; Operating for at least two years; and Employing a minimum of three full-time staff. Applications are particularly encouraged from women-led enterprises and businesses from underrepresented AU regions and small island Member States.