Afrifounders & SkillUp Africa Graduate Trainee Programme 2026 | Link to Apply
Applications are open for the Afrifounders Graduate Trainee Programme 2026, a six-month career development programme designed for Nigerian graduates who are currently serving or have recently completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The programme combines intensive business training, practical exposure within operating businesses, and a competitive pathway to a paid internship.
Participants will begin with a Mini MBA covering essential business skills before moving into practical business immersion within the Afrifounders ecosystem.
The programme is organised by Afrifounders in partnership with SkillUp Africa and is designed to help young graduates understand how businesses operate while developing practical skills relevant to the workplace.
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About Afrifounders Graduate Trainee Programme
The programme runs for six months and is divided into different stages. Progression through the programme is merit-based, meaning participants must meet the required performance standards to advance to subsequent stages.
The first five weeks consist of an intensive Mini MBA programme covering core business fundamentals. This is followed by three weeks of business immersion, where trainees gain practical exposure within operating Afrifounders businesses.
At the end of the second month, the strongest participants will be selected to proceed to a four-month paid internship. Participants who perform exceptionally during the internship may subsequently be considered for full-time employment within the Afrifounders ecosystem.
The initial Mini MBA and business immersion stages are unpaid.
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Programme Details
- Programme: Afrifounders Graduate Trainee Programme 2026
- Organisers: Afrifounders & SkillUp Africa
- Country: Nigeria
- Duration: 6 Months
- Commitment: Full-Time
- Application Fee: None
- Mini MBA: 5 Weeks
- Business Immersion: 3 Weeks
- Paid Internship: 4 Months for selected participants
- Application Deadline: 5 September 2026, 11:59 PM WAT
Programme Structure
Stage 1 – Mini MBA
During weeks 1–5, participants undergo intensive training in fundamental areas of business, including:
- Strategy
- Finance
- Operations
- Communication
- Problem-solving using practical business cases
Stage 2 – Business Immersion
During weeks 6–8, trainees are embedded within operating Afrifounders businesses.
Participants will work around real teams and business operations, applying concepts learned during the Mini MBA to practical situations.
Stage 3 – Internship Selection
At the end of the second month, participants are evaluated based on their performance.
The strongest participants will be selected to continue to the internship stage. Selection is competitive, and participation in the first two months does not automatically guarantee an internship.
Stage 4 – Paid Internship
Selected participants proceed to a four-month paid internship covering months 3–6 of the programme.
Interns gain hands-on professional experience while working within businesses in the Afrifounders ecosystem.
Stage 5 – Employment Pathway
At the end of the programme, the strongest-performing interns may be offered full-time positions within the Afrifounders ecosystem.
Full-time employment is performance-based and is not guaranteed.
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Areas of Exposure
Depending on available opportunities and business needs, trainees may gain exposure across areas such as:
- Business Operations
- Growth & Marketing
- Finance
- Product & Technology
- Customer Experience
Placement in any particular functional area is not guaranteed.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be Nigerian graduates
- Be currently serving NYSC or have recently completed NYSC
- Be available to commit full-time for the six-month programme
- Be willing to participate in an intensive, execution-focused programme
- Be prepared to undergo performance-based evaluation throughout the programme
- Submit their application before the deadline
Benefits
- Free five-week Mini MBA training
- Practical business education in strategy, finance, operations, communication and problem-solving
- Three weeks of immersion within real operating businesses
- Hands-on professional and workplace experience
- Opportunity to learn directly from experienced founders, executives and business operators
- Four-month paid internship for participants selected after the first two months
- Exposure to different business functions within the Afrifounders ecosystem
- Potential pathway to full-time employment for top-performing interns
- No application or programme fees
Selection Process
The selection process consists of five stages:
- Online application
- Eligibility review
- Timed aptitude and workplace-readiness assessment
- Two-minute video submission for applicants who pass the assessment
- Final programme selection
There is no separate interview stage. The final decision is based on the applicant’s application, assessment performance and video submission.
Deadline: 5 September 2026, 11:59 PM WAT