Google has officially opened applications for the 2025 Google for Startups Accelerator Africa, a three-month program designed to support early-stage startups leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to address critical challenges across the continent.
The initiative, now in its seventh year, aims to back Seed to Series A startups with AI-first solutions, empowering them to build transformative products that create sustainable impact.
According to Google, the program is targeted at startups based in Africa with a live product, at least one founder of African descent, and a clear commitment to responsible AI development.
Selected startups will benefit from:
- Dedicated technical mentorship from Google and industry leaders
- Up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits
- Access to a global network of investors, partners, and collaborators
- Workshops on product development, technology, people leadership, and AI implementation
“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. “This program reflects our belief that AI can be transformative when shaped by those who understand the context deeply.”
One standout example of the program’s impact is Crop2Cash, a West African agritech platform and Accelerator alumnus.
The startup is using AI to digitally onboard smallholder farmers, build their financial identities, and facilitate access to credit, traceable payments, and productivity tools. Crop2Cash is improving yields and economic prospects for thousands of farmers traditionally left out of formal systems.
Since its launch in 2018, the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa has supported 140 startups from 17 African countries. Collectively, these alumni have raised over $300 million in funding and created more than 3,000 jobs. Many have grown into regional and global leaders in their sectors.
Google cited a McKinsey report projecting that AI could contribute $1.3 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030, emphasizing the need to nurture grassroots innovation to unlock that potential.
Applications for the 2025 cohort are now open, and interested startups can apply via: startup.google.com/programs/accelerator/africa
