ELISA Business Scholars Program 2025 – Africa-Focused Entrepreneurship Fellowship

The ELISA Business Scholars Program (EBS), hosted by the ELISA Business Network under the International Center for Professional Development (ICPD), invites African-based entrepreneurs and startup founders to participate in a transformative leadership and business development experience. Up to 20 high-potential innovators will be selected from across Africa for the 2025–26 cohort.

 Program Overview & Timeline

• Training Session & Summit: November 18–21, 2025 in Hwange, Zimbabwe—an immersive 3-day event with workshops, peer panels, and exposure to investors and sector experts.
• Selection Period: Applications open December 2024; deadline July 31, 2025. Final selection notifications are sent by September 15, 2025.
• Post-event Engagement: One year of virtual coaching by a business leader and continuous peer networking through the ELISA online portal.

 Who Can Apply?

• Founders or co-founders of ventures operating primarily in Africa, contributing to local economies.
• Applicants must reside in an African country and be able to connect monthly with their coach via virtual platforms (Zoom, WhatsApp, etc.).
• Open to individuals of any age, sector, or gender; previous alumni may not reapply.

 What Scholars Receive

Selected ELISA Scholars will enjoy:

• Fully covered participation in the 3-day ELISA Business Summit and training session.
• A full year of one-on-one mentorship with an experienced business leader.
• Travel & accommodation support and meals during the summit.
• Lifetime membership to the ELISA Business Network, access to virtual events, and entrepreneurial content.
• Structured development support to refine business strategy, financial planning, pitch decks, and operations.

 Why It Matters

• Provides powerful pan-African peer networks and mentorship.
• Equips entrepreneurs to scale their ventures and enhance impact across sectors.
• Enables international exposure, investor readiness, and strategic growth planning.
• The ELISA portal supports continued collaboration, knowledge sharing, and visibility.

 Official Link