Google has unveiled the ninth cohort of its Google for Startups Accelerator: Africa program, with Nigerian, Kenyan, and Rwandan startups taking the lead in the AI-focused class. The program, which spans 10 weeks, aims to support startups across the continent that are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to solve local and global challenges.
This year’s class features 11 startups from six African countries, with Nigeria contributing the most participants—four startups. Kenya follows closely with three, while Rwanda makes a strong showing with two. Uganda and South Africa each have one startup in the cohort. The selected startups represent a range of sectors, including fintech, health tech, education, agriculture, and climate tech.
Notably, the program reflects Africa’s growing investment in AI solutions that address local needs. For example, Nigeria’s Famasi Africa is working on AI-driven health logistics, while Pade focuses on HR and employee management systems powered by AI. Rwanda’s AgroBora uses AI to optimize agriculture operations, and Kenya’s CheckUps Medical offers AI-assisted healthcare delivery in underserved areas.
The program provides participants with mentorship from Google experts, product support, technical resources including cloud credits, and access to a global network of investors and partners. It’s designed not only to accelerate growth but also to ensure the responsible and impactful deployment of AI technologies within African markets.
Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startups Ecosystem for Africa at Google, emphasized the significance of the accelerator in promoting innovation and solving real-world problems. He noted that the selected startups demonstrate how AI can be effectively used to create inclusive solutions tailored to African contexts.
This edition of the accelerator places a special focus on scalable impact, responsible innovation, and ethical AI use. It aligns with Google’s broader goal of empowering African tech talent and supporting the continent’s digital transformation.
The dominance of Nigeria, Kenya, and Rwanda in this year’s cohort underscores their emerging leadership in Africa’s tech ecosystem. These countries continue to invest in digital infrastructure and talent, creating fertile ground for tech-driven entrepreneurship. As AI becomes increasingly critical to global innovation, Africa’s rising generation of AI startups is positioning the continent as a meaningful contributor to the global tech landscape.
This latest accelerator class not only showcases the continent’s innovation potential but also signals a deepening commitment by Google to support African-led solutions to local and global challenges.
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