Anzisha Fellowship 2027: Who Can Apply, What Fellows Really Receive, and How to Prepare

Anzisha is one of very few continent-wide programmes that will back a founder as young as 15, and it does not require a registered company. That makes it unusually accessible to teenagers and very young adults who are already selling, serving customers or running a community project.

The headline money is often misreported. Anzisha states that fellows receive cash stipends tied to business milestones, and that at the end of the second year they pitch and compete for a share of a $40,000 prize pool across four categories: Job Creation, Revenue Growth, Storytelling and Systems of Delivery. The $140,000 figure seen on some websites belongs to earlier Anzisha Prize cycles. Stipend amounts for 2027 have not been published.

The real value is long-term: structured learning, personal coaching, finance readiness, shadowing of established entrepreneurs, and a pan-African network of young founders. IZONAI Digital considers this a genuine, free and verified opportunity best suited to 15–22-year-old founders with real traction who are ready to commit for two years or more.

Aged 15–22 with a valid national ID or passport; a citizen of an African country; a founder leading the venture; already running a business, invention or social project with customers, sales or beneficiaries (an idea or plan alone does not qualify); spending at least 20 hours a week on the venture. The business must operate in Africa and serve African customers or beneficiaries. Formal registration is not required, and any sector is accepted.

Applications close on 10 November 2026; Anzisha has not published a closing time or time zone, so apply early. Applications are evaluated from November 2026 to March 2027, and fellows are announced in May 2027. Stipends are released against business milestones. Anzisha's public pages do not yet state the date on which age is calculated, the stipend amounts, the exact programme length, travel requirements and who covers costs, or whether citizens living outside Africa may apply if their venture operates in Africa. Check the official Application Guide or contact Anzisha before relying on these points.

Request the official Application Guide (available in English, French, Arabic and Portuguese) from the Apply page and read it before starting. Have your national ID or passport ready. Gather evidence of real activity, such as sales records, customer or beneficiary numbers and photos of your products or operations. Be ready to explain your role as founder, your growth so far, and how Anzisha's support would help you grow further. Applicants under 18 should check the guide for any parent or guardian requirement. Apply only through the official Anzisha website.