Many young founders ask the same question: is my idea good enough? The Anzisha Fellowship 2027 asks a different one. Is your business already running?
Anzisha is a multi year programme for young African entrepreneurs aged 15 to 22. Fellows get coaching, online learning and milestone-based cash stipends. At the end of year two they can compete for a share of a USD 40000 prize pool. Applying is free.
Applications close on Tuesday 10 November 2026. No closing time or time zone is stated. Do not wait for the last day.
Last Information Checked: 8 November 2026
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
| Programme | Anzisha Fellowship (2027 intake) |
| Who can apply | African citizens aged 15 to 22 |
| Venture | Must already be running with real activity |
| Time needed | 20 or more hours a week on the venture |
| Length | Multi year programme |
| Prize pool | USD 40000 shared among winners in year two |
| Funding | Milestone based cash stipends |
| Application fee | None |
| Applications opened | 29 September 2026 |
| Deadline | Tuesday 10 November 2026 (time not stated) |
| Fellows announced | May 2027 |
About the Anzisha Fellowship
Anzisha supports young African founders who are already building real businesses. It wants to help them strengthen their ventures, grow faster and create more jobs. The programme calls itself highly selective.
The official site shares its track record. It says the movement has supported over 300 fellows from 36 African countries. It also says fellows have created over 8000 jobs. More than USD 1.5 million in stipends has been paid out.
The key word is already. This programme does not fund ideas. It looks for founders who have moved beyond the idea stage and can show proof.
How the Fellowship Works
The fellowship mixes learning with real work in your own business. Fellows move at their own pace. Coaches guide them along the way.
- Digital learning: Fellows use an online learning platform with self paced courses. Live sessions add to the courses.
- Personal coaching: Experienced coaches guide fellows as they apply lessons in their business.
- Shadowing: Fellows spend time with high-performing entrepreneurs. They see how decisions and daily operations work at scale.
- Finance readiness: Fellows build strong money systems and investor-ready materials.
- Peer community: Fellows join a network of nearly 300 young entrepreneurs across Africa. They learn from each other and look for ways to grow across borders.
Prizes and Funding
Fellows receive cash stipends tied to business milestones. This means money follows progress. The official page does not state how much each fellow receives.
At the end of the second year fellows pitch their ventures and show how they have grown. They then compete for a share of USD 40000 in prizes. The four award categories are:
- Job Creation
- Revenue Growth
- Storytelling
- Systems of Delivery
Fellowship Benefits
- A multi year programme to build and grow your venture
- Personal coaching from experienced coaches
- Online courses and live learning sessions
- Milestone based cash stipends
- Support to prepare for investors and funding
- Shadowing with successful entrepreneurs
- A community of nearly 300 young founders across Africa
- A chance to compete for a share of USD 40000 in prizes
Who Can Apply
- You are aged 15 to 22. The official page does not say on which date your age is counted.
- You are a citizen of an African country.
- You have a valid national ID or passport.
- You are a founding member of the business or project you apply with. You lead it.
- Your venture operates in Africa and serves African customers or beneficiaries.
- Your venture is already running. You can show real activity such as customers or sales or revenue or beneficiaries.
- You spend 20 or more hours a week working on it.
Your venture does not need to be formally registered. It can be a business or an invention or a social project. Any field or industry is welcome.
How To Apply (Step By Step)
- Check the list above. Make sure you meet the age and citizenship and founder rules.
- Request the application guide on the official Anzisha apply page. The guide is sent to your email. It comes in English and Arabic and French and Portuguese.
- Read the guide to see which documents and images you need.
- Collect your proof. This can be customer lists or sales records or photos or the number of people you serve.
- Prepare to explain your business and your role as founder and the problem you solve. Add the evidence that it is running.
- Submit on the official application portal before 10 November 2026.
Applying is free. You do not pay any fee at any stage.
Key Dates
- 29 September 2026: Applications opened
- Tuesday 10 November 2026: Application deadline (time and time zone not stated)
- November 2026 to March 2027: Applications evaluated
- May 2027: Fellows announced
- End of year two: Pitch and prize competition
