Google has opened applications for the 10th cohort of the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa, reinforcing its push to support Africa-based startups building AI-driven solutions.
In a statement released on Thursday, the tech giant said applications will remain open until March 18, 2026.
The 12-week accelerator programme is a hybrid, AI-first initiative targeted at Series A startups that are either headquartered in Africa or developing products focused on the African market using artificial intelligence and machine learning.
According to Google, startups selected for the cohort will gain access to its AI expertise and technical infrastructure, mentorship from experienced AI professionals, and opportunities to network with peers and global industry leaders.
The programme is designed to help founders strengthen their products, scale responsibly, and translate advanced research into real-world, high-impact solutions.
Speaking on the launch of cohort 10, Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup Ecosystem Africa at Google, said Africa’s technology ecosystem is rapidly evolving toward deeper innovation. “Africa’s tech landscape is seeing a vibrant shift toward deep-tech innovation,” Aiyegbusi said. “For cohort 10, we are focusing on the potential of AI to drive health and societal impact, while providing the infrastructure and expertise to turn these startups into the research labs of the continent.”
Since its launch in 2018, the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa has supported over 180 startups across 17 African countries.
Google said alumni startups have collectively raised more than $350 million in funding and created over 3,700 direct jobs, highlighting the programme’s role in strengthening Africa’s startup ecosystem and attracting global investor interest.
This year’s cohort reflects growing interest in applying AI to sectors with broad societal impact, including healthcare, climate, agriculture, and other critical development areas.
Nigeria featured prominently in cohort 9, with six startups selected among the 15 AI-driven ventures from across Africa.
The Nigerian startups included:
- E-doc Online, a compliance and credit intelligence platform using real-time banking data
- GoNomad, which enables African businesses and freelancers to receive international payments locally
- Middleman, a sourcing and payments platform simplifying imports from China
- Myltura, an AI-powered digital health platform offering remote care and diagnostics
- Pastel, providing enterprise AI tools for fraud detection and anti-money laundering
- Scandium, offering AI-driven software quality assurance solutions
Other cohort 9 startups came from Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa, tackling challenges across fintech, healthtech, logistics, and agritech.
From cross-border payments to healthcare access and software automation, Nigeria’s strong representation underscores its growing influence in Africa’s innovation landscape.
