Google has officially launched applications for the 2025 Google for Startups Accelerator Africa Program.
The Startups Accelerator Africa Program is a transformative three-month initiative said to be aimed at fueling the growth of early-stage technology startups across the continent.
This was revealed in a statement released by the Head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa at Google, Folarin Aiyegbusi.
According to the statement, the Program, which is now in its ninth cohort, is designed to support Seed to Series A startups leveraging advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to address Africa’s most pressing challenges.
The program is said to focus on fostering innovation, creating jobs, and driving economic growth; the program offers equity-free support, mentorship, and access to Google’s global resources.
The statement also revealed that Google is interested in startups addressing critical sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, finance, and sustainability, with a strong emphasis on those leveraging AI and ML.
Applications are open until May 20, 2025, and eligible startups are encouraged to apply at g.co/AcceleratorAfrica.
Aiyegbusi emphasized in the statement: “Startups are Africa’s problem solvers. With the right resources, they can scale their impact far beyond local communities.
“This program reflects our belief that AI can be transformative when shaped by those who understand the context deeply.”
A brief overview of the program showed that since its inception in 2018, the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa Program has been a cornerstone of support for the continent’s vibrant tech ecosystem.
It was gathered that the program has empowered 140 startups from 17 African countries, collectively raising over $300 million in funding and creating more than 3,000 jobs.
The 2025 Google for Startups Accelerator Africa Program is a hybrid initiative, blending in-person boot camps with virtual workshops and one-on-one mentorship sessions.
Key benefits include:
• Equity-Free Support: Startups receive up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits to scale their infrastructure, along with 30 days of free Cloud TPU access for machine learning research.
• Expert Mentorship: Founders are paired with Google engineers, AI specialists, and industry leaders to solve their toughest technical and business challenges.
• Technical Workshops: In-depth training on AI/ML, product strategy, and scaling operations equips startups to refine their offerings.
• Global Network Access: Participants connect with investors, partners, and Google’s alumni network, opening doors to funding and collaboration opportunities.
• Community Building: Startups join a supportive ecosystem of like-minded founders, fostering collaboration and innovation.
At the program’s conclusion, startups pitch their solutions to Google teams, venture capitalists, and tech ecosystem stakeholders, gaining visibility and potential investment opportunities.
The 2025 cohort is open to Seed to Series A technology startups based in or developing solutions for Africa. Eligible countries include Algeria, Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
