Google on Thursday announced the commencement of applications for its 2025 Startups Accelerator Africa Programme, targeting AI-led startups.
The three-month initiative is designed to empower early-stage startups using Artificial Intelligence to tackle pressing African challenges.
Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startups Ecosystem, Africa at Google, said the programme reflects Google’s commitment to nurturing local innovations with the potential to solve deeply-rooted societal problems.
He stressed the transformative power of AI and the need to ensure African startups are equipped to lead that transformation. Citing a McKinsey report, Aiyegbusi highlighted that AI could contribute up to $1.3 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030 if strategic support is provided.
“Startups are Africa’s problem solvers. With the right resources, they can scale their impact far beyond local communities. This programme reflects our belief that AI can be transformative when shaped by those who understand the context deeply,” he stated.
Highlighting success stories from previous cohorts, he cited Crop2Cash, a Nigerian agritech platform, which has used AI to onboard small holder farmers, enabling access to credit, traceable payments, and essential productivity tools.
The company’s impact, he noted, exemplifies what’s possible when innovation receives the necessary support.
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The 2025 accelerator programme is open to Seed to Series A startups based in Africa, building AI-first solutions.
Eligible startups must have a live product, at least one founder of African descent, and a clear vision for responsible AI use.
Selected startups will receive dedicated mentorship from Google engineers and industry experts, up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits, and access to a global network of investors, partners, and collaborators.
They will also benefit from tailored workshops on technology, product strategy, leadership, and AI implementation.
Since its launch in 2018, the Accelerator has supported 140 startups from 17 African countries. These alumni have collectively raised over $300 million in funding and created more than 3,000 jobs across the continent.
Applications for the 2025 cohort are now open, with interested startups encouraged to apply through the programme’s official portal.
NAN
