NextAI Studios Completes the 2025 Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme
We are proud to announce that NextAI Studios has been recognised as a recipient and successful completionist of the 2025 Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme — one of Africa's most prestigious platforms for early-stage founders building ventures with meaningful continental impact.
Being selected for the TEF Programme was a significant milestone for us. The Foundation's rigorous selection process evaluates not just the strength of an idea, but the conviction, capability, and commitment of the founder behind it. To be chosen from thousands of applicants across Africa reaffirmed what we already believed — that Buddy is solving a problem that matters, and that we are the right team to solve it.
“To be chosen from thousands of applicants across Africa reaffirmed what we already believed — that Buddy is solving a problem that matters, and that we are the right team to solve it.”
The programme challenged us to think bigger, sharper, and more strategically about how we build. We walked away with deeper insights into venture commercialisation, a stronger network of African founders and mentors, and a renewed sense of urgency around the mission that drives everything we do at NextAI Studios.
We are grateful to the Tony Elumelu Foundation for investing in our journey. This recognition is not a destination — it is fuel.