Acumen Fellowship is inviting social entrepreneurs across East Africa to apply for the Green RISE East Africa Fellowship, a transformative leadership program designed to support entrepreneurs building inclusive businesses that create green jobs, reduce poverty, and strengthen climate resilience.
Delivered by Acumen Canada in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the fellowship equips participants with practical leadership skills, enterprise-building tools, and access to a global community of changemakers committed to creating sustainable economic opportunities across Africa.
About the Acumen Green RISE East Africa Fellowship
The Green RISE Africa (Resilient Impact through Sustainable Entrepreneurship) Fellowship is a six-month hybrid leadership programme that supports entrepreneurs working to build an inclusive and sustainable green economy.
The programme focuses on strengthening leadership capacity, improving business models, creating dignified employment opportunities for young women and youth, and scaling climate-focused enterprises across East Africa.
Why Apply?
Selected Fellows will have the opportunity to:
- Strengthen their leadership skills through Acumen’s world-renowned curriculum.
- Learn practical frameworks for building resilient social enterprises.
- Expand climate-focused businesses that generate green jobs.
- Join a cohort of innovative entrepreneurs across East Africa.
- Access Acumen’s global alumni community of more than 2,000 social entrepreneurs and leaders.
- Build long-term partnerships with fellow changemakers and industry experts.
- Explore future funding and enterprise acceleration opportunities.
Fellowship Benefits
Participants receive access to:
- Leadership development training.
- Practical enterprise-building tools.
- Climate-focused business learning.
- Global networking opportunities.
- Peer mentorship and collaboration.
- One-on-one coaching and programme support.
- Membership in The Foundry, Acumen’s international alumni community upon successful completion.
- Opportunities to participate in future growth and impact initiatives.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is open to entrepreneurs who:
- Are building businesses that contribute to an inclusive and sustainable green economy.
- Create employment opportunities for young rural women and youth.
- Are passionate about solving poverty through entrepreneurship.
- Demonstrate commitment to climate action and sustainable development.
- Want to strengthen their leadership and expand their social impact.
- Are eager to join a lifelong community of purpose-driven entrepreneurs.
Eligible Countries
The Green RISE East Africa Fellowship welcomes entrepreneurs operating in:
- Kenya
- Uganda
- Tanzania
- Rwanda
- Ethiopia
- Burundi
- South Sudan
- Somalia
Fellowship Curriculum
Participants engage in Acumen’s signature leadership curriculum covering:
- Moral Leadership
- Adaptive Leadership
- Polarity Management
- Storytelling for Impact
- Climate Justice
- Inclusive Business Models
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Leadership Communication
- Green Enterprise Growth
- Inclusive Impact Strategies
Programme Structure
The fellowship is delivered over six months using a hybrid learning model.
Activities include:
- Three-day virtual orientation.
- Two-day virtual workshop.
- Two five-day in-person immersions.
- Monthly virtual learning sessions.
- Interactive Learning Labs.
- Individual coaching sessions.
- Self-paced assignments and online learning.
Participants are expected to dedicate approximately 10 hours per month while continuing to manage their businesses.
Alumni Community
After completing the programme, Fellows become members of The Foundry, Acumen’s global community of more than 2,000 social entrepreneurs and leaders working across over 70 countries.
The community provides ongoing learning opportunities, peer support, collaboration, and access to impact-focused initiatives that help Fellows continue growing their enterprises and leadership journeys.
Green RISE Africa Accelerator
Graduates may also become eligible for the Green RISE Africa Accelerator, a separate programme designed to help early-stage green enterprises strengthen business operations and expand their impact.
The Accelerator includes:
- Ten-month business development programme.
- One-on-one enterprise support.
- Cohort learning.
- Funding opportunities for impact projects.
- Business growth mentoring.
Participation in the Accelerator is subject to separate eligibility requirements.
Application Process
Applicants generally complete the following steps:
- Review the Applicant Toolkit.
- Submit the online application.
- Participate in the selection process if shortlisted.
- Join the Fellowship upon successful selection.
Why Join Acumen?
Acumen’s Fellowship is designed for entrepreneurs who want to create lasting social and environmental impact. Through leadership development, peer learning, and global networking, Fellows gain the skills, confidence, and community needed to build resilient enterprises that generate dignified employment, strengthen climate resilience, and improve livelihoods across Africa.
How to Apply
Interested entrepreneurs should visit the official Acumen Fellowship application portal to review eligibility requirements, complete the online application, and submit all required information before the programme deadline. Prospective applicants who miss the current application window can also join Acumen’s mailing list to receive updates about future fellowship opportunities.
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