Google has selected 15 startups from across Africa for the ninth cohort of its Google for Startups Accelerator Africa. The chosen ventures, representing Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa, are using artificial intelligence (AI) to address pressing issues in sectors ranging from fintech and healthtech to agritech and logistics.
According to Google, the programme is designed to offer crucial technical mentorship, funding support, and global exposure to early-stage tech companies working on AI solutions with social and economic impact. The selected startups will engage in a three-month hybrid accelerator that will provide access to industry experts, engineers, and up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits.
The programme, which will run from June 23 to August 22, follows a competitive application process that attracted nearly 1,500 entries from across the continent. Google noted that the selection reflects its ongoing commitment to nurturing Africa’s growing tech ecosystem, particularly in leveraging AI to solve local and global challenges.
According to Head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa at Google, Folarin Aiyegbusi, the initiative highlights the importance of local innovation in driving inclusive growth. “This program reflects our belief that AI can be transformative when shaped by those who understand the context deeply. We are incredibly excited to support these founders who are building for impact and helping to shape an inclusive AI ecosystem across Africa,” he stated.
Among the startups selected from Nigeria are E-doc Online, which supports smarter lending through real-time banking data analysis; GoNomad, enabling global operations for businesses and freelancers; Middleman, focused on facilitating safer imports from China; Myltura, which offers digital health services; Pastel, with AI fraud detection solutions; and Scandium, an AI-driven quality assurance suite for software development.
Other startups in the cohort include Afrikabal from Rwanda, Apexloads from Kenya, Regulon and Zerone Analytiqs from Ghana, Rapid Human AI from South Africa, and TOLBI from Senegal. Health-focused YeneHealth represents Ethiopia, while agricultural innovations are presented by Kenya’s Shamba Records and Rwanda’s Smartel Agri Tech.
Since its inception in 2018, the accelerator programme has supported 153 startups across 17 African countries. Collectively, participants have raised over $300 million in funding and generated more than 3,500 jobs. Google reports that it has directly contributed $5 million in product credits and equity-free support to startups on the continent.
