Google has officially opened applications for the 2025 edition of the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program, a flagship initiative aimed at supporting early-stage startups leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to solve some of Africa’s most urgent challenges.
Now in its latest cohort, the three-month virtual accelerator program will empower Seed to Series A startups building AI-first solutions across diverse sectors—from agriculture and finance to education and healthcare.
“Startups are Africa’s problem solvers. With the right resources, they can scale their impact far beyond local communities,” said Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa at Google. “This program reflects our belief that AI can be transformative when shaped by those who understand the context deeply.”
Solving Africa’s Deep Challenges with AI
One standout alumni example is Crop2Cash, a West African agritech startup using AI to digitally onboard smallholder farmers. The platform helps farmers build financial identities, gain access to credit, receive traceable payments, and access productivity tools. This impact shows what’s possible when African-led innovation is properly supported and scaled.
According to a McKinsey report, AI could contribute up to $1.3 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030, but only if grassroots innovation receives the necessary backing.
Program Benefits
Startups selected for the program will gain access to
- Dedicated technical mentorship from Google engineers and industry leaders
- Up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits
- Workshops on product strategy, AI implementation, leadership, and scalability
- A global network of investors, partners, and potential customers
To qualify, startups must:
- Be based in Africa
- Be Seed to Series A stage
- Have at least one founder of African descent
- Be developing AI-powered products
- Have a live and functional product
A Legacy of Impact
Since its launch in 2018, Google for Startups Accelerator Africa has supported 140 startups from 17 African countries. These alumni have collectively
- Raised over $300 million in funding
- Created more than 3,000 jobs
- Grown into regional and global leaders in their industries
How to Apply
Startups ready to scale their AI-powered innovations can apply now at:
🔗 https://startup.google.com/programs/accelerator/africa
For more details and ongoing updates, visit the Google Africa Blog or follow @GoogleAfrica on social media.
