Higher education institutions that train entrepreneurs today, contribute to tomorrow’s creation of new businesses, jobs, and economic opportunities. In a world marked by macroeconomic uncertainty, they must become incubators for innovation, entrepreneurship, and new businesses, and serve as a key driver of sustainable economic development.
Based on this premise, Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship (ECE) together with entrepreneur and RSM-alumnus Sjoerd van Berkel launch the Erasmus Fund for Entrepreneurship in Africa (EFEA). The fund will be administered by the Erasmus Trust Fund and aims to work with African partners to sustainably strengthen entrepreneurship education and broader ecosystems in the coming years, reaching thousands of students, staff, and entrepreneurs.
In many African countries, youth enrolment in higher education is expanding rapidly, yet growth of quality jobs is lagging behind. Every year, roughly 12 million young Africans enter the workforce, while only 3 million (formal) jobs are created.
These labour market imbalances underscore a vital need for practical, locally relevant education that equips students to become job creators rather than job seekers.
ECE’s decade of practical experience
The initiative builds on ECE’s decade of practical experience delivering entrepreneurship education in various African countries, including Ghana, Mozambique, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In the DRC, a programme with Université de Kinshasa led to the development of an entrepreneurship curriculum that is expected to receive nationwide accreditation this year.
Through these collaborations, ECE observed that while many international collaborations yield valuable short-term results and networks, they often fail to achieve sustainable (institutional) change, nor do they provide space for robust impact measurement and concrete follow-up actions. As a result, momentum is often lost and a lasting dependence on grants and subsidies is created.
EFEA takes a different approach. The fund will support multi-annual partnerships in which local African institutions are central.
Projects will be developed according to the needs and ambitions of the institutions involved and may focus on the development of new curricula, teacher trainings, incubation programmes and the strengthening of links between education institutions, entrepreneurs, investors and civil society.
Combining local knowledge with international experience
'By combining local knowledge with international experience, we support educational institutions embed entrepreneurship in their local communities. This creates a sustainable impact that is aligned with and driven from local context,' says Farshida Zafar, Director of ECE.
'Through the fund, we are investing in institutions, ecosystems and students able to shape their own entrepreneurial future. I hope this inspires entrepreneurs, alumni and investors to join, not only by providing capital, but by contributing their knowledge and networks. It is this combination that makes all the difference,' says co-initiator Sjoerd van Berkel, entrepreneur and RSM-alumnus, who has committed to be the founding donor of the fund.
Leveraging EFEA’s blended finance approach, philanthropic donations to the fund are strategically combined with international development financing. This significantly scales the scope and measurable impact of projects. Local partners also contribute through co-financing or in-kind resources such as facilities, personnel, and networks, which further ensures local ownership and sustainability of projects.
Driving force for positive change
Being embedded within the Erasmus Trust Fund connects EFEA to the extensive network of Erasmus University Rotterdam, including Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM).
'RSM aims to be a driving force for positive change. EFEA not only contributes to the sustainable exchange of knowledge between Africa and Europe, but also to the creation of excellent learning environments that foster entrepreneurship and mutual understanding. This is exactly what is needed to prepare future leaders who will act as true global citizens,' said RSM Dean Aukje Hassoldt.
An independent advisory committee has been established to evaluate and approve funding allocation. The committee consists of seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, and academics with expertise in entrepreneurship, innovation, and development in Africa. Committee members are Sjoerd van Berkel, Martha Mghendi-Fisher, Emmie van Halder, Prof. dr. Justin Jansen and Dr. Taslim Alade.
Talent requires the right local structures
On being part EFEA’s advisory committee, serial entrepreneur Martha Mghendi-Fisher says: 'Africa’s youth population represents the largest untapped startup engine in the world, but talent requires the right local structures to thrive. Sustainable economic development cannot be imported; it must be cultivated from within African academic institutions. By treating African universities as equal partners, EFEA fosters a genuine, multi-directional exchange of knowledge and community, ensuring local institutions remain the architects of their own future. This fund empowers thousands of young Africans to not just seek jobs, but to actively create them, turning systemic market challenges into sustainable, homegrown opportunities for their communities.'
The fund’s first projects are expected to kick off in late 2026, in collaboration with ECE’s existing partners and international organisations such as UNESCO, UNIDO and RVO.
EFEA is more than just a fund. It is a "coalition of the willing", representing a growing community of entrepreneurs, alumni, global investors, researchers, and social partners who are working together to build entrepreneurship education and strong entrepreneurial ecosystems in Africa.
Donations to EFEA
ECE and the Erasmus Trust Fund invite entrepreneurs, alumni, investors, researchers, and other stakeholders to contribute to EFEA’s mission. Either through financial support, but also by sharing expertise, experience, and networks.
- More information
Connect with Sjoerd van Berkel
Discover more about the Erasmus Trustfonds
More about Prof. A.S. (Aukje) Hassoldt (dean RSM)
Programme-related questions and collaborations
Jip Dresia – Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship
dresia@ece.nl or +31(0)10 7402336Donations to increase the fund’s impact
Gwen van Loon – Erasmus Trustfonds
g.vanloon@trustfonds.nl or +31(0)10 4110596About Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship
Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship (ECE) is a leading centre for entrepreneurship education and research. Based in Rotterdam, ECE empowers people to create positive social impact through insights, skills, and connections related to entrepreneurship and innovation.
