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Six-month career development programme

From graduate to professional — in six decisive months.

The Afrifounders Graduate Trainee Programme 2026 — intensive Mini MBA training, immersion inside real operating businesses, and a competitive path to a paid internship in the Afrifounders ecosystem.

For Nigerian graduates currently serving NYSC, or who recently completed it.

Apply now — it's free Explore the programme
Applications close 05 September 2026 No fees, ever
Two young Nigerian professionals in business attire standing in a modern office
Graduates of the Afrifounders ecosystem

*Internship places are competitive — selection is not guaranteed.

Programme snapshot

Six months

One structured programme, end to end.

Full-time commitment

A demanding, execution-focused pace.

5 weeks of Mini MBA

Core business fundamentals, taught directly.

3 weeks of immersion

Inside real, operating Afrifounders businesses.

4-month paid internship

For participants selected on merit.

Full-time potential

Top performers may receive offers.

Who should apply

Built for graduates who want more than a certificate.

This is not a classroom exercise. Trainees learn business fundamentals, then apply them inside real Afrifounders companies — with real teams, real customers, and real consequences. Every stage is merit-based, and not everyone who starts continues to the next.

Honest by design

Training and immersion are unpaid. Only participants selected at the end of month two continue into the paid internship.

  • A recent Nigerian graduate
  • Currently serving NYSC, or recently completed
  • Eager to learn real business fundamentals
  • Comfortable with a demanding, execution-focused pace
  • Available full-time for the full six months
  • Ready to be evaluated on merit at every stage

The journey

Six months. Five stages. Every one of them earned.

  1. 01

    Weeks 1–5

    Mini MBA

    Intensive foundational business training.

  2. 02

    Weeks 6–8

    Business immersion

    Practical exposure inside real Afrifounders businesses.

  3. 03

    End of Month 2

    Internship selection

    The strongest participants are selected for the internship.

  4. 04

    Months 3–6

    Paid internship

    Four months of paid, hands-on internship work.

  5. 05

    End of Month 6

    Employment pathway

    The strongest interns may receive full-time offers.

Every stage is merit-based. Not everyone who starts continues to the next.

Weeks 1–5

The Mini MBA

Five weeks of intensive, structured training in core business fundamentals — strategy, finance, operations, communication, and problem-solving — delivered directly by the Afrifounders team.

Weeks 6–8

Business immersion

Trainees are placed inside live Afrifounders businesses to observe and practise how real operations run — applying Mini MBA fundamentals to real work, real problems, and real teams.

End of Month 2 → Months 3–6

Selection, then a paid internship

At the end of month two, the strongest participants are selected to continue into a four-month paid internship inside the Afrifounders ecosystem.

This is competitive. Participation in the programme does not guarantee selection for the paid internship.

End of Month 6

The employment pathway

At the end of month six, the strongest interns may be offered full-time roles within the Afrifounders ecosystem.

No guarantees. Completing the internship does not guarantee full-time employment.

Why Afrifounders

Real businesses. Real teams. No simulations.

Afrifounders is a group of real, operating businesses. Trainees on this programme work alongside teams that run actual operations — giving graduates a grounded, practical introduction to how businesses are actually built and run.

Career & business areas

Areas of exposure

Trainees may be exposed to work across these functional areas. This is not a guaranteed placement into any specific track.

Business Operations

Growth & Marketing

Finance

Product & Technology

Customer Experience

Facilitators & mentors

Learn from people who have built the real thing.

Founders, executives, and operators with decades of combined experience across finance, technology, operations, and venture building.

  • Portrait of Temitayo Diadem Adegoke, Founder, Venture Architect, Serial Entrepreneur

    Temitayo Diadem Adegoke

    Founder, Venture Architect, Serial Entrepreneur

    With 15 years of experience building enterprise grade software and consulting for more than 200 businesses, Temitayo brings deep expertise in venture building, product strategy, execution, and leadership across multiple sectors. Read full bio

    With 15 years of experience building enterprise grade software and consulting for more than 200 businesses, Temitayo brings deep expertise in venture building, product strategy, execution, and leadership across multiple sectors.

  • Portrait of Adekunle Adewole, Managing Director, Opticom Finance Ltd

    Adekunle Adewole

    Managing Director, Opticom Finance Ltd

    Adekunle brings 26 years of experience in banking and finance, offering participants practical insight into financial systems, executive leadership, business growth, and the discipline required to build sustainable ventures. Read full bio

    Adekunle brings 26 years of experience in banking and finance, offering participants practical insight into financial systems, executive leadership, business growth, and the discipline required to build sustainable ventures.

  • Portrait of Oyinlola Osundina, Chairman, Honeywealth Group Canada

    Oyinlola Osundina

    Chairman, Honeywealth Group Canada

    With more than 25 years of experience across finance, technology, and business in Africa, Europe, and North America, Oyinlola offers participants high level exposure to cross border strategy, leadership, and enterprise growth. Read full bio

    With more than 25 years of experience across finance, technology, and business in Africa, Europe, and North America, Oyinlola offers participants high level exposure to cross border strategy, leadership, and enterprise growth.

  • Portrait of Tosin Adegoke, Executive Director, Skillup Africa

    Tosin Adegoke

    Executive Director, Skillup Africa

    Tosin has over 10 years of experience in customer service and operations, including roles with Virgin Atlantic and Emirates. She brings operational excellence, people management, service delivery, and leadership depth to the programme. Read full bio

    Tosin has over 10 years of experience in customer service and operations, including roles with Virgin Atlantic and Emirates. She brings operational excellence, people management, service delivery, and leadership depth to the programme.

  • Portrait of Seun Abimbola, Serial Entrepreneur, Founder of Rentit and Medprompt

    Seun Abimbola

    Serial Entrepreneur, Founder of Rentit and Medprompt

    Seun is a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in business and entrepreneurship. He brings real world startup lessons, resilience, commercial thinking, and founder perspective to participants. Read full bio

    Seun is a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in business and entrepreneurship. He brings real world startup lessons, resilience, commercial thinking, and founder perspective to participants.

  • Portrait of Abiodun Folawiyo, Business Consultant, Career and Business Coach

    Abiodun Folawiyo

    Business Consultant, Career and Business Coach

    With 24 years of experience in entrepreneurship, business development, and coaching, Abiodun helps participants think clearly about growth, career direction, personal effectiveness, and business discipline. Read full bio

    With 24 years of experience in entrepreneurship, business development, and coaching, Abiodun helps participants think clearly about growth, career direction, personal effectiveness, and business discipline.

  • Portrait of Ayodeji Agboola, Founder at Akowe, Director Founders Institute Lagos

    Ayodeji Agboola

    Founder at Akowe, Director Founders Institute Lagos

    Ayodeji is a startup coach and mentor with over 15 years of experience. His background in founder development, startup ecosystems, and venture mentoring will help participants sharpen strategy and execution. Read full bio

    Ayodeji is a startup coach and mentor with over 15 years of experience. His background in founder development, startup ecosystems, and venture mentoring will help participants sharpen strategy and execution.

  • Portrait of Oluwakorede Asuni, Product Management and Business Analysis Leader

    Oluwakorede Asuni

    Product Management and Business Analysis Leader

    Oluwakorede is an experienced product management and business analysis professional with 20 years of experience, including work with MTN South Africa. He brings strong execution structure, analysis, and enterprise thinking. Read full bio

    Oluwakorede is an experienced product management and business analysis professional with 20 years of experience, including work with MTN South Africa. He brings strong execution structure, analysis, and enterprise thinking.

Eligibility

Four requirements. That's it.

If you meet all four, you're eligible to apply. Everything after that is decided on merit.

  • 1 You are a Nigerian graduate
  • 2 You are currently serving NYSC, or recently completed it
  • 3 You can commit full-time for six months
  • 4 You apply before the deadline

Selection process

How to apply

Five clear steps. No interview stage, and no additional selection round.

  1. 1

    Online application

    Register and submit your online application before the deadline.

  2. 2

    Eligibility review

    The Afrifounders team reviews your application against the eligibility criteria.

  3. 3

    Aptitude & workplace-readiness assessment

    If eligible, you're invited to a timed assessment — automatically graded, one attempt.

  4. 4

    Two-minute video

    Applicants who pass the assessment upload a short video explaining why they should be admitted.

  5. 5

    Final programme selection

    The team reviews your application, assessment score, and video together, then communicates the final decision.

Important dates

Application deadline

05 September 2026

11:59 PM WAT

Programme start

To be announced

Confirmed to selected applicants

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is this programme paid?

The initial Mini MBA training and business immersion are unpaid. Only participants selected for the internship stage (months 3–6) are paid.

Is there an interview?

No. Selection is based on your application, assessment score, and video submission — there is no interview stage.

How long is the assessment?

The assessment duration is set by the Afrifounders team and shown to you before you start.

Is the paid internship guaranteed?

No. Only the strongest participants are selected at the end of month two.

Is full-time employment guaranteed after the internship?

No. Only the strongest interns may receive full-time offers at the end of month six.

Can I retake the assessment if I don't pass?

No — each applicant gets one attempt.

Six months from now, you could be someone's strongest hire.

Applications close 05 September 2026 at 11:59 PM WAT.

Start your application