African Union Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme 2026/27 is accepting applications from eligible youth- and women-led enterprises across African Union Member States. The 12-month fellowship provides structured training, expert mentorship, intellectual property support, market intelligence, and opportunities to connect with markets across Africa.
The African Union Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme is designed to support promising micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Africa. The 2026/27 cohort provides entrepreneurs with structured business development support aimed at strengthening their enterprises and improving their ability to participate in African markets.
According to the supplied programme information, the Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme Cohort 2 (2026/27) is an African Union Commission startup acceleration initiative focused on developing MSMEs.
The programme combines training, mentorship, market intelligence and intellectual property support to help participating enterprises strengthen their businesses and explore opportunities connected to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The application deadline listed in the source is September 30, 2026.
Fellowship Overview
- Host: African Union
- Programme: Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship
- Cohort: 2, 2026/27
- Eligible applicants: Youth- and women-led small enterprises in AU Member States
- Duration: 12 months
- Support: Training, mentorship, IP support and market access opportunities
- IELTS: Not required according to the supplied source
- Deadline: September 30, 2026
Background and Programme Description
The Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship is described as an African Union startup acceleration initiative implemented through the AU Commission’s Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM).
The programme aims to provide promising African enterprises with practical business development support. Rather than being a conventional academic scholarship, the fellowship is structured around enterprise growth, entrepreneurship development and access to markets.
Fellows receive training across multiple business-related modules, alongside expert mentorship and access to market intelligence resources.
The programme is also aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area, creating opportunities for participating enterprises to better understand and access markets across the continent.
Eligibility Requirements
According to the supplied programme information, applicants must be youth- and women-led small enterprises that meet the following requirements:
- The enterprise must be registered and operating in an African Union Member State.
- The business must be formally registered as a business entity.
- The enterprise must have been operating for at least two years.
- The business must employ at least three full-time staff members.
The programme particularly encourages applications from women-led enterprises, as well as businesses from underrepresented African regions and small island AU Member States.
Applicants should ensure that their businesses satisfy the stated requirements before submitting an application.
Fellowship Benefits
The African Union Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship provides several forms of business development support.
12 Months of Structured Training
All fellows receive 12 months of structured training covering ten modules. The training is differentiated according to sector and enterprise maturity.
This structure is intended to provide businesses with practical knowledge that can be applied to their individual growth and development needs.
Expert Mentorship
Participants receive expert mentorship through African Union partners. Mentorship can provide entrepreneurs with access to experienced professionals and practical guidance relevant to business development.
Market Intelligence
Fellows gain access to the African Trade Observatory (ATO) and AfCFTA market intelligence tools.
These resources can help participating enterprises better understand African markets and identify potential opportunities for expansion.
Continental Events
Fellows also have opportunities to participate in continental events.
According to the supplied information, Tier 1 and Tier 2 fellows participate in virtual market-entry sessions covering ten AfCFTA pilot countries, while Tier 3 fellows participate in business-to-business matchmaking sessions.
2026 EAN Fellowship Sectors
The 2026 cohort covers seven sectors, organized into two major clusters aligned with the AfCFTA.
Products Cluster
The Products Cluster focuses on goods intended for intra-African trade and includes:
- Manufacturing
- Agro-processing
- Creative industries
Services Cluster
The Services Cluster focuses on service-based businesses and includes:
- ICT and digital
- Fintech
- Health
- Logistics and transport
Entrepreneurs should therefore assess whether their business operates within one of the listed sectors before applying.
Fellowship Tiers
The programme places fellows into three tiers based on the maturity of their enterprises.
Training, mentorship and market access support are tailored according to the tier in which an enterprise is placed.
The supplied information also states that a minimum of 40 places, representing 40 percent of the cohort, are reserved to ensure representation across all five AU continental regions, with at least five places allocated for enterprises from small island Member States.
How to Apply
Eligible entrepreneurs interested in the African Union Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship should submit their applications through the official African Union application announcement.
Applicants should prepare the relevant business information and supporting documentation before beginning the online application process.
The source directs applicants to the African Union announcement for the application procedure and submission.
Official application: African Union EAN Fellowship Application
Application Deadline
The application deadline stated in the supplied source is:
September 30, 2026
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline and carefully review the official African Union announcement for any updated requirements or instructions.
Additional Information
The African Union Enterprise Africa Network Fellowship is particularly relevant to entrepreneurs seeking structured support to strengthen established small businesses and explore opportunities within African markets.
The combination of training, mentorship, intellectual property support, market intelligence and market-entry activities gives participating enterprises several forms of assistance beyond traditional classroom-based training.
Because the programme is focused on existing businesses, applicants should pay particular attention to the requirements concerning business registration, operating history and number of full-time employees.
The programme also emphasizes broader representation across Africa, including participation from underrepresented regions and small island Member States.
Entrepreneurs who meet the eligibility requirements and operate in one of the seven covered sectors may consider applying before the September 30, 2026 deadline.
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