Google has announced the 15 early-stage technology companies selected for the ninth cohort of the Google for Startups Accelerator: Africa, with startups from Rwanda, Nigeria, and Kenya standing out prominently.
These three countries dominate the cohort, underscoring East and West Africa’s strengths and innovation potential in artificial intelligence (AI).
Chosen from about 1,500 applicants across Africa, these startups tackle complex challenges using AI—ranging from agriculture and healthcare to legal compliance, supply chain tools, and fintech.
Folarin Aiyegbusi, Google’s head of startups in Africa, told reporters:
“This program shows our belief in AI’s power to create change when used by those with real insight. We are thrilled to support founders who are building positive impact and a strong AI ecosystem in Africa.”
Nigeria leads with six startups, highlighting its position as a continental tech hub. These include:
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E-doc Online: streamlines credit compliance using bank data
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GoNomad: helps small merchants accept payments worldwide
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Middleman: an AI-driven procurement and payment solution for African importers
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Myltura: a health-tech platform expanding care access in remote areas via AI
Kenya counts three startups focused on agricultural AI:
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Apexloads: SaaS platform matching freight carriers with brokers
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Shamba Records: empowers over 50,000 farmers with AI-based loans and market access
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Smartel Agri Tech: uses solar-powered sensors to detect early crop pests and send SMS alerts to rural farmers
Rwanda also performs strongly with two key participants:
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AFRIKABAL: AI-powered marketplace connecting farmers, buyers, and suppliers
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Smartel Agri Tech (again): developing early plant-disease detection for smallholders
The cohort also includes startups from South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Senegal, working on health, data analytics, governance technologies, and sustainable farming.
Over the next three months (June 23 – August 22, 2025), the selected startups will join a hybrid acceleration program offering up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits, technical training by Google engineers and AI experts, strategic support for product scaling, and access to global investors and industry leaders.
Since its launch in 2018, Google for Startups Accelerator: Africa has supported 153 startups across 17 African countries. Alumni have raised over $300 million and created more than 3,500 jobs. Google has committed $5 million in support.
As AI continues to shape Africa’s economic and industrial future, the strong representation from Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda reaffirms a critical truth: African innovation is no longer on the sidelines—it’s now driving change.
