From now until March 31, applicants from Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya can apply for the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology’s (MEST) one-year, fully sponsored training programme in software development and business development.

MEST said it is looking for the next wave of tech entrepreneurs; it has already trained more than 200 entrepreneurs and has invested US$15 million in supporting software startups.

MEST’s 12-month training programme is focused on market-oriented software development and practical entrepreneurship training at MEST’s Accra-based campus. Successful applicants receive training and access to seed funding, access to global markets, and mentoring and coaching  from executives from a variety of global software companies, as well as flights, housing, meals and a monthly stipend.

Applicants are required to have a deep passion to start a software company, between three and five years entrepreneurial or corporate work experience, a degree in any field, and be able to commit to one year in Accra from September. Applications are open until March 31.