the tef Impact

We Are Committed To Advocating For Entrepreneurship As The Key To Accelerating Africa's Social And Economic Development.

At the core of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme’s Growth Pathway is the belief that luck should be democratized and that every “small idea” has a chance to be successful while making an impact. At the base of the pathway are the millions of Africans with great ideas and passion, lacking necessary access to business capital, capacity development, and most of all, a suitable ecosystem for growth and development- which leaves them stuck in poverty and living below their immense potential.

To alleviate these socioeconomic challenges, partnerships between the public, civic, development and private sectors can help to deliver the capital and support required to effect seismic change.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation is committed to providing Africans from all 54 African countries and all backgrounds with life-transforming opportunities. We are confident in the invaluable impact of targeted support, good governance, and an enabling environment, and are staunch advocates for business-friendly policies and SME support. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure SME growth regardless of the level of capital investment.

In addition to encouraging healthy business ecosystems through training, funding, and upskilling African entrepreneurs across the continent, we also commit extensive resources to ensure the businesses we have funded are able to survive long after they have been established.

With the intervention of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, alongside our global partners, we look forward to the growth of more African SMEs helping to create jobs, providing consumers with better services, increasing innovation and competition, improving the business landscape, and delivering social benefits. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises increase the contribution of the private sector in stimulating sustainable economic development across Africa.

Economic Impact
1

Funded Entrepreneurs from across 54 African countries: the largest network of entrepreneurs across Africa.

Economic Impact

$80M+

Invested over USD80 million as seed capital to support the kick-off and growth of businesses.

Africa Development

409K+

New jobs created across the continent.

Economic Impact

6,300+

Women-owned businesses that have received funding.

Social Transformation

134K+

vendors are currently engaged on TEFConnect.
COVID-19 Intervention
0 %

of TEF Entrepreneurs provided support through advocacy and sensitisation on COVID-19.

Africa Development

35K+

Directly contributed to the empowerment of over 35,000 women across Africa.

Africa Development

23/30

of 30 TEF Alumni believe that the TEF Alumni network has contributed to an improved performance of their businesses.

COVID-19 Intervention

10K+

TEF strategic business webinars and masterclasses designed to provide insights on topics that can help entrepreneurs weather the storm and remodel their businesses, especially in the areas of business growth and innovation in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

SDG

17 UN SDGs

through the Entrepreneurship Programme, have been directly impacted by the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Economic Impact

1.65M+

Followers of TEF across social media.

Economic Impact
0 %

of Entrepreneurs say the programmes and tools have helped them to constantly innovate and improve their products and services, and as a result, stay in business.

COVID-19 Intervention

25.31%

TEF Entrepreneurs say their business supported the donation of relief materials.

Economic Impact

$4M

worth of transactions have been recorded across the continent as a result of TEFConnect.
COVID-19 Intervention

13%

TEF Entrepreneurs have diversified their business operations to address new COVID-19 related needs.

Social Transformation

1.5M+

Over 1.5 million registered users on TEFConnect, receiving access to market linkages and insights on the African entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Social Transformation

23/25

in every 25 TEF Entrepreneurs believe that their learnings from the TEFConnect platform have engendered improvement in the efficiency of their business management and leadership.
Social Transformation

20+

Footprint in over 20 key sectors in the continent, contributing to the growth of high-performing businesses across key sectors in Africa.

Africa Development
0 %

TEF Entrepreneurs report that the programme and platforms have provided them with guidance on corporate governance of business, ensuring longer lifespan.

Africa Development
0 %
Enhanced the clientele of most SMEs on the TEFConnect platform by about 94%, increasing the number of high-performing SMEs in Africa.
Social Transformation

18/20

of 20 TEF Alumni report that TEFConnect has helped them build partnerships and create networking opportunities with other entrepreneurs within and outside Africa.
Africa Development

9/10

in every 10 TEF entrepreneurs believe that TEF platforms and tools have given them opportunities to learn and gain insights from other entrepreneurs within their countries and in other African countries.

COVID-19 Intervention
0 %

of TEF Entrepreneurs have diversified their business operations to address new COVID-19 related needs in their communities.

COVID-19 Intervention

10K+

TEF strategic business webinars and masterclasses designed to provide insights on topics that can help entrepreneurs weather the storm and remodel their businesses, especially in the areas of business growth and innovation in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Social Transformation
0 %

of entrepreneurs across TEF networks rely on these platforms and tools for industry insights across Africa.

Social Transformation

100K+

people have benefitted from TEF’s strategic business webinars and masterclasses designed to provide insights on topics that can help entrepreneurs and their businesses.

COVID-19 Intervention
0 %

of TEF Entrepreneurs supported the donation of relief materials in their communities.

stay updated

Stay up to date on our entrepreneurs, events, research and more.

PRIVACY POLICY UPDATE

We have made changes to our Privacy Policy to better protect your personal data! Please review and understand our updated Privacy Policy

I agree to the updated Privacy Policy. I understand that the use of my personal data by the Tony Elumelu Foundation will be in accordance with the updated Privacy Policy.