The Anzisha Venture Building Fellowship 2027 is a multi-year entrepreneurship programme for young African entrepreneurs who are already building real businesses, inventions, or social projects. The fellowship supports young founders with practical learning, coaching, and other resources designed to help them strengthen their ventures, grow their businesses, and create jobs.
Applications for the 2027 intake opened on 29 September 2026, and interested entrepreneurs have until 10 November 2026 to submit their applications. The application is free, and there is no fee required to apply.
About the Anzisha Venture Building Fellowship 2027
Anzisha was established in 2011 by the African Leadership Academy in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation to support Africa’s youngest entrepreneurs. Its fellowship model focuses on entrepreneurs who are already taking action and building ventures rather than applicants who only have a business idea.
For the 2027 intake, Anzisha is looking for young African entrepreneurs between the ages of 15 and 22 who are actively building and growing a business or project. Selected fellows join a multi-year programme intended to strengthen their ventures, accelerate growth and improve their ability to create jobs.
The programme is open to businesses, inventions and social projects across different industries. Applicants do not have to operate a formally registered business, but they must be able to demonstrate that their venture is already active.
Benefits of the Anzisha Venture Building Fellowship
Selected fellows gain access to support designed around the practical needs of growing a young venture. The programme can provide opportunities such as:
- Practical entrepreneurship learning
- Personalised coaching
- Support for strengthening and growing a venture
- Financial support and finance-readiness development
- Access to a community of young African entrepreneurs
- Opportunities to learn from other entrepreneurs and business leaders
- Support focused on business growth and job creation
- A multi-year fellowship experience rather than a one-time programme
Anzisha describes its broader work as providing young entrepreneurs with practical learning, coaching, financial support and access to a network of peers, mentors and partners.
Anzisha Venture Building Fellowship Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the Anzisha Venture Building Fellowship 2027, applicants must meet the programme’s requirements where application must;
- Be between 15 and 22 years old
- Be a citizen of an African country
- Have a valid national ID or passport
- Be a founding member of the business or project being submitted
- Already have a business, invention, or social project in operation
- Operate the venture in Africa
- Serve African customers or beneficiaries
- Be able to demonstrate real activity, such as customers, revenue, sales, or beneficiaries
Anzisha specifically states that applicants cannot apply with only an idea. The venture must already have started and show evidence of activity.
What Types of Businesses Can Apply?
The fellowship is not restricted to one particular industry, and Anzisha states that businesses, inventions and social projects in any field or industry are welcome to apply.
This means entrepreneurs working in areas such as agriculture, technology, manufacturing, education, food, hospitality, fashion, energy, health, retail and other sectors may be eligible, provided they meet the programme’s requirements.
Anzisha’s existing fellowship network demonstrates this broad sector coverage, with fellows working across agriculture, education, manufacturing, technology, hospitality, food, energy and several other areas.
Documents and Information Needed
Anzisha provides an application guide containing the eligibility requirements and the documents and images applicants need to submit. Also, applicants should therefore prepare information about:
- Their identity and citizenship
- Their business or project
- Their role as a founder
- The products or services they provide
- Their customers or beneficiaries
- Evidence that the venture is already operating
- The progress and growth of the venture
- Relevant business information requested in the application
Meanwhile, the official application guide is available through the Anzisha application page and is provided in English, Arabic, French, and Portuguese.
How to Apply for the Anzisha Venture Building Fellowship 2027
Applicants can apply through the official Anzisha application portal. The application process is free, and here are the application steps
- Visit the official Anzisha Fellowship application page.
- Review the eligibility requirements and application guide.
- Confirm that you meet the age, citizenship, and founder requirements.
- Prepare the required business information, documents, and images.
- Access the online application through the “Apply Now” link.
- Complete the application form with accurate information about yourself and your venture.
- Provide evidence showing that your business or project is already operating.
- Review your application and supporting information.
- Submit the application before the deadline.
The official Anzisha website confirms that there are no fees required to apply.
Application Timeline
The official Anzisha application page gives the following timeline for the 2027 intake:
Applications open: 29 September 2026
Application deadline: 10 November 2026
Evaluation of applications: November 2026 – March 2027
Announcement of fellows: May 2027.
Anzisha Venture Building Fellowship 2027 – Official Page
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Business Need to Be Registered?
No, applicants do not need to have a formally registered business to apply. However, the venture must already be operating, and applicants must be able to demonstrate real activity. This could include customers, sales, revenue, or beneficiaries.
Is the Anzisha Venture Building Fellowship 2027 open?
Yes, applications for the 2027 intake opened on 29 September 2026 and close on 10 November 2026.
Who can apply for the Anzisha Fellowship?
Young entrepreneurs aged 15 to 22 who are citizens of an African country can apply, provided they meet the other programme requirements. Applicants must also be founding members of the venture they submit.
Can I apply if I only have a business idea?
No, Anzisha requires applicants to have already started their business, invention, or social project. Applicants should be able to demonstrate activity through customers, revenue, sales, or beneficiaries.
Does my business have to be registered?
No, Anzisha states that formal business registration is not required. However, the venture must already be active and have evidence of real activity.
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