Google has officially opened applications for the 10th cohort of the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa, marking another milestone in its commitment to supporting Africa’s fast-growing tech ecosystem.

In a statement released on Thursday, the tech giant announced that applications for Cohort 10 will remain open until March 18, 2026.

What the Accelerator Offers

The Google for Startups Accelerator Africa is a 12-week, AI-first hybrid programme designed for Series A startups that are either based in Africa or building Africa-focused solutions using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

According to Google, startups selected for the programme will gain:

• Access to Google’s advanced AI expertise and technical resources

• Mentorship from experienced AI and technology professionals

• Networking opportunities with fellow founders and global industry leaders

The goal of the programme is to help startups strengthen their products, scale responsibly, and transform cutting-edge research into real-world solutions that solve meaningful problems.

Google’s Vision for Africa’s Tech Future

Speaking on the launch of the new cohort, Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup Ecosystem Africa at Google, highlighted the continent’s growing shift toward advanced innovation.

“Africa’s tech landscape is seeing a vibrant shift toward deep tech innovation,” Aiyegbusi said.
“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.”

Track Record and Impact

Since its launch in 2018, the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa has supported over 180 startups across 17 African countries. Collectively, these startups have:

• Raised more than $350 million in funding

• Created over 3,700 direct jobs

These achievements underline the programme’s growing influence in strengthening Africa’s startup ecosystem and attracting global investor attention.

Google also noted that this year’s focus aligns with increasing interest in applying AI to healthcare, climate solutions, agriculture, and other sectors with wide societal impact.

Nigeria’s Strong Presence in Previous Cohorts

In Cohort 9, six Nigerian startups were selected among 15 AI-driven ventures from across the continent. The cohort featured startups from Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa, all leveraging AI to address challenges in fintech, healthtech, logistics, and agritech.

The Nigerian startups included:

• E-doc Online – a compliance and credit intelligence platform using real-time banking data to streamline onboarding and lending

• GoNomad – enabling African businesses and freelancers to build global companies and receive international payments like local entities

• Midddleman – simplifying imports from China through sourcing and payments solutions

Others were:

• Myltura – a digital health platform using AI for remote care, testing access, and integrated health data

• Pastel – delivering enterprise-grade AI tools for fraud detection and anti-money laundering

• Scandium – providing AI-powered quality assurance tools that help software teams deliver faster with fewer bugs

From simplifying cross-border payments to expanding access to healthcare and automating software quality checks, Nigeria’s representation continues to reflect the country’s growing dominance in Africa’s innovation space.