Pan-African youth entrepreneurship initiative, Anzisha, has announced the launch of applications for its 2026 Fellowship, reaffirming its mission to develop and empower Africa’s youngest business innovators and job creators.
The fellowship targets early-stage founders aged 15 to 22, providing them with venture-building support, leadership coaching, and peer learning opportunities to help scale their enterprises and strengthen Africa’s vibrant micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) ecosystem.
According to Anzisha, the programme has already supported nearly 300 young entrepreneurs across the continent through funding, mentorship, and visibility for their ventures. The initiative continues to challenge policymakers, investors, and educators to build systems that enable youth-led businesses to thrive.
The announcement comes on the heels of the Entrepreneurship Education in Africa Summit, recently hosted at the African Leadership Academy (ALA) in Johannesburg, where stakeholders explored strategies to bridge the gap between education, innovation, and job creation.
At the summit, four entrepreneurs under 25 were honoured for their exceptional contributions to entrepreneurship, each receiving a $10,000 award. Among the recipients were Nigeria’s Bunmi Esther Olalude and Christianah Madu, celebrated for their initiatives that empower women and amplify the visibility of youth-led enterprises.
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Speaking at the event, Didi Onwu, Anzisha’s Managing Editor, underscored the significance of youth entrepreneurship in shaping Africa’s socioeconomic future.
“Youth entrepreneurship isn’t the backup plan; it’s the blueprint,” she said. “Young Africans are redefining innovation and impact, and they deserve the right support to build sustainable futures.”
Applications for the 2026 Fellowship are now open. Selected fellows will share a $50,000 prize pool and gain access to personalized mentorship, business development training, and growth acceleration resources.
Through initiatives like the Anzisha Fellowship, Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs is being equipped not only to launch thriving ventures but also to create jobs, drive innovation, and build a resilient MSME ecosystem that fuels the continent’s long-term development.
