LAGOS, NIGERIA — Four Nigerian technology startups have been selected for the 10th cohort of Google for Startups Accelerator Africa, emerging from a highly competitive pool of nearly 2,600 applications across the continent.
The selected companies — Bani, MasteryHive AI, Regxta, and Termii — are part of a final group of 15 startups chosen from across Africa, reflecting an acceptance rate of less than one percent. Their inclusion underscores the growing influence of Nigeria’s tech ecosystem in building AI-driven solutions to tackle real-world challenges.
Each of the startups is applying artificial intelligence to address critical sectors, particularly in financial services and infrastructure. Bani is focused on cross-border payments, aiming to eliminate settlement delays for African businesses operating globally. MasteryHive AI is developing tools for transaction reconciliation, fraud detection, and anti-money laundering monitoring. Regxta is working on expanding access to finance for underserved micro businesses through alternative credit scoring, while Termii is building communications infrastructure to ensure reliable financial messaging for banks and fintech companies.
Okay News reports that the selection comes at a time when African startups are increasingly leveraging advanced technologies to bridge gaps in financial inclusion, healthcare delivery, and supply chains, even as the continent’s venture ecosystem raised $3.9 billion in 2025 despite global economic pressures.
Speaking on the development, Gbolade Emmanuel, CEO of Termii, highlighted the impact of the program on scaling innovation.
“At Termii, we’re building AI-powered infrastructure that ensures financial transactions don’t fail, from login PINs to payment OTPs and fraud alerts,” the CEO said. “The Google Startup Accelerator is helping us accelerate our AI roadmap and scale globally, and even in the first week, access to technical support and insights has been incredibly valuable for our next phase of growth.”
Also commenting, Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa at Google, said the new cohort reflects the growing importance of African innovation in driving economic progress.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome these exceptional founders into Class 10,” Aiyegbusi said. “African startups are driving essential economic growth and social development. Our role is to serve as a supportive partner, providing these developers and founders with the technical infrastructure, mentorship, and global network they need to scale their solutions and amplify their real-world impact.”
The hybrid accelerator program, which runs from April 13 to June 19, 2026, will provide participating startups with mentorship from industry experts, alongside technical workshops focused on AI and machine learning.
Since its launch in 2018, the program has supported over 100 startups across 17 African countries, helping them collectively raise more than $263 million and create over 2,800 jobs, reinforcing its role in shaping the continent’s digital economy.
