Call for Applications: African Union Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship 2026 (Cohort 2) Organiser: African Union Commission (AUC – ETTIM Department) Programme Type: Startup Acceleration & Business Growth Fellowship Fellowship Duration: 12 Months Number of Fellows: 100 Selected Entrepreneurs across 55 AU Member States Application Deadline: September 30, 2026 Programme Commences: November 2026 About the Fellowship The African Union Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme is a continental acceleration initiative designed to support promising African Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Implemented by the AU Commission Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, Cohort 2 will support 100 entrepreneurs with structured business training, expert mentorship, intellectual property guidance, and direct access to African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) markets. The programme places a strong emphasis on youth- and women-led enterprises, as well as businesses from underrepresented African regions and small island Member States. Eligible Sectors The fellowship focuses on 7 key sectors divided into two main clusters aligned with the AfCFTA: Products Cluster: Manufacturing, Agro-processing, and Creative Industries. Services Cluster: ICT & Digital, Fintech, Health, and Logistics & Transport. Fellowship Tiers Selected participants will be categorized into three tiers based on enterprise maturity: Tier 1 (Growth – 35 Places): Operating 2 to 5 years, minimum 3 employees, with demonstrable market traction. Tier 2 (Expansion – 40 Places): Operating 5 to 10 years, 10 to 30 employees, with cross-border expansion ambitions. Tier 3 (Scale-Ready – 25 Places): Operating 10+ years or holding an investor-ready profile. Key Benefits & Coverage Training: 12 months of structured business training across 10 specialized modules. Mentorship & IP: Expert mentorship via AU partners and dedicated intellectual property support. Market Access: Access to the African Trade Observatory (ATO) and AfCFTA market intelligence tools. Matchmaking: Virtual market-entry sessions across 10 AfCFTA pilot countries (Tiers 1 & 2) and direct B2B matchmaking (Tier 3). Continental Visibility: Opportunities to participate in major AU continental trade events. Eligibility Requirements Applicants must meet the following baseline conditions: Must be a youth- or women-led enterprise. Must be formally registered and operating in an African Union Member State. Must have been in business operation for at least 2 years. Must employ at least 3 full-time staff members. Key Dates Applications Open: July 31, 2026 Application Deadline: September 30, 2026 Selection Results: October 2026 Programme Kickoff: November 2026 How to Apply Interested and eligible entrepreneurs should submit their applications directly through the official application portals below: Click Here to Apply on the African Union Portal Direct Application Form via JotForm Join & share the group: WHATSAPP GROUP LINKThe post Call for Applications: African Union Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship 2026 (Cohort 2) first appeared on Opportunities Hub.