Google is now accepting applications for its 2025 Startups Accelerator Africa program, offering a rare opportunity for AI-driven ventures across the continent. The three-month initiative targets early-stage startups leveraging artificial intelligence to solve some of Africa’s biggest problems — from agriculture to healthcare, and beyond.
This marks the seventh edition of the accelerator, open to Seed to Series A startups that have at least one founder of African descent, a live product in market, and a responsible approach to AI innovation. The tech company is doubling down on its mission to fuel bold African innovation from the ground up.
“Startups are Africa’s problem solvers. With the right resources, they can scale their impact far beyond local communities,” said Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa at Google
More Than Just Mentorship
Selected startups will receive up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits, personalised technical mentorship from Google’s experts, and entry into a global network of investors, partners, and collaborators. The program also includes workshops focused on tech development, product strategy, leadership, and implementing AI responsibly.
Google has made it clear that AI could play a major role in Africa’s future, citing research from McKinsey that predicts a $1.3 trillion boost to the continent’s economy by 2030 — provided the right support is in place. Google wants African innovators to be at the forefront of that transformation.
“This program reflects our belief that AI can be transformative when shaped by those who understand the context deeply,” Aiyegbusi added.
Since launching in 2018, Google’s accelerator has backed 140 startups from 17 African countries. Collectively, these alumni have raised over $300 million in funding and created more than 3,000 jobs. Several have gone on to dominate their sectors regionally and globally.
One standout example is Nigerian agritech startup Crop2Cash, which uses AI to onboard smallholder farmers, build their digital financial profiles, and connect them to credit, digital payments, and productivity tools. Google says the platform has been key to opening up financial systems for farmers long left out of formal economies.
“Through these efforts, Crop2Cash is improving agricultural outcomes and unlocking economic opportunity,” Google noted, highlighting the kind of change African startups can drive when given the tools to scale.
Applications for the 2025 cohort are now open and can be submitted via Google’s official accelerator portal here
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