Samsung Africa and the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) in Ghana have partnered to launch a program to help train and incubate aspiring African software entrepreneurs.

Ghanaian and Nigerian university graduates will have the opportunity to join the Entrepreneurs in Training program on a full scholarship and get hands-on training in software development and business and communications education which they will use to develop business ideas while still in the program.

Samsung will provide company ideation and pitching processes as well as mobile phones and tablets on which students’s solutions can be tested.

There’s also a chance for students to get funding of up to $250 000 (R3 million) from MEST for their solutions and startups after graduating from the program if they present good business pitches as part of their final test (and if their solution is commercial viable).

Samsung Enterprise Business partners in Nigeria will also have the opportunity to invest as well as have a minority stake in a new or existing startups coming out of MEST. Students will also be able to apply for internship positions at Samsung during MEST internship breaks.

Those who do receive funding will be incubated by MEST and get access to its global network of advisors comprised of renowned venture capitalists and entrepreneurs from around the world, while Samsung will introduce market-ready startups to Samsung Enterprise Business Partners and Samsung Information and Mobility Business teams who may help with piloting and scaling these products and services.

“MEST is among the first in the African continent to both train software entrepreneurs for two years as well as guide them through investment programs that yield actual results,” Charles Ojei, director, Samsung West Africa Enterprise Business said in a statement.

“Samsung is very excited to be involved in this full-circle program and look forward to supporting at each phase in a mutually beneficial relationship that is win-win for both parties. The MEST model builds local talent and capacity, enhances the tech ecosystem and also creates sustainable jobs and wealth within the community, and we are proud to be a part of that.”

Interested candidates can apply for the  Entrepreneurs in Training program on the MEST website.