Google has officially launched applications for the 10th cohort (Class 10) of its Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program, marking a significant milestone in the tech giant’s nearly decade-long commitment to fostering innovation across the continent.
The program, which began in 2018, has already supported over 180 startups from various African countries. These participants have collectively raised more than $350 million in funding and created thousands of jobs, demonstrating the accelerator’s tangible impact on scaling high-potential ventures.
This latest iteration stands out as an “AI-first” accelerator, specifically targeting growth-stage (ideally Series A) startups that leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to address pressing challenges in Africa. Focus areas include healthcare, climate resilience, agriculture, societal benefits, and other scalable solutions with significant total addressable markets.
The 12-week hybrid program combines remote and in-person elements, offering selected startups (typically 10-15 per cohort) access to:
Personalized mentorship from Google experts
Technical guidance on AI/ML integration and product development
Equity-free support, including Google Cloud credits
Early access to cutting-edge Google AI tools and products
Networking opportunities, 1-to-1 sessions, group learning, and sprint projects Culminating in a Demo Day and graduation event
Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup Ecosystem for Africa at Google, emphasized the program’s vision: “For Class 10, we are focusing on the potential of AI to drive health and societal benefits, providing the infrastructure and expertise to turn these startups into the research labs of the continent.”
Eligibility highlights include:
Startups demonstrating strong traction and a defensible growth model
Deep technical focus, with commitment from CTO or technical leads
Headquarters in Africa or products explicitly solving African-centric problems Applications opened on February 4 (or February 5, per some reports) and will close on March 18, 2026. The program is set to kick off in April 2026, with graduation and Demo Day planned for June 2026.
Interested founders can apply directly at the official portal: g.co/acceleratorafrica or via the Google for Startups website at startup.google.com/programs/accelerator/africa.
This call comes amid growing momentum in Africa’s AI ecosystem, where local founders are increasingly competing on global benchmarks and tackling real-world issues with innovative
tech. The accelerator aligns with Google’s broader $1 billion+ investment pledge to accelerate digital transformation on the continent, including cloud infrastructure and ecosystem building.
As Africa’s startup landscape continues to mature despite funding headwinds, programs like this provide critical non-dilutive resources to help AI-driven ventures scale sustainably and make lasting impact.
For more details on eligibility, benefits, and past alumni, visit the official program page. Founders are encouraged to apply early, as spots are competitive and limited.
