Google has officially opened applications for its 2025 Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program, a three-month initiative aimed at empowering early-stage African startups leveraging artificial intelligence to tackle the continent’s most pressing challenges.
The program seeks Seed to Series A startups across Africa that are developing AI-first solutions. Eligible startups must possess a live product, include at least one founder of African descent, and demonstrate a commitment to responsible AI innovation.
Selected startups will gain access to a comprehensive support system, including:
- Dedicated technical mentorship from Google and industry experts.
- Up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits.
- Access to a global network of investors, partners, and collaborators.
- Workshops focusing on technology, product strategy, people leadership, and AI implementation.
The initiative underscores Google’s belief in the transformative potential of AI in Africa, emphasizing the need to support grassroots innovation. As Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa at Google, stated, “Startups are Africa’s problem solvers. With the right resources, they can scale their impact far beyond local communities.”
Highlighting the program’s impact, the announcement cites Crop2Cash, an agritech platform and program alumnus, which utilizes AI to enhance financial inclusion and agricultural productivity for smallholder farmers in West Africa.
Since its inception in 2018, the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program has supported 140 startups from 17 African countries, collectively raising over $300 million in funding and generating more than 3,000 jobs. The program aims to further accelerate this growth and contribute to the projected $1.3 trillion boost that AI could bring to Africa’s economy by 2030, as estimated by McKinsey.