Google For Start-ups Accelerator Africa Class 9 Selects 15 AI Innovators

Google for Start-ups Accelerator Africa has announced the selection of 15 AI innovators for its latest program, marking a big step forward for technology on the continent. These startups, chosen from nearly 1,500 applicants across Africa, are using artificial intelligence (AI) to solve some of Africa’s most urgent problems in areas like farming, health, finance, and business operations.

The Google for Start-ups Accelerator Africa selects AI innovators from seven countries this year: Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa. The program, now in its ninth edition, is designed to help early-stage startups that are building AI-first solutions. Since 2018, the Google for Start-ups Accelerator Africa has supported over 150 startups from 17 countries, helping them raise more than $300 million and create over 3,500 jobs.

This year’s group, called Class 9, includes a wide range of AI-driven companies. For example, AFRIKABAL from Rwanda uses AI and blockchain to help farmers and buyers trade crops safely. Apexloads from Kenya helps move cargo faster by connecting freight brokers and transporters with trusted partners. In Nigeria, E-doc Online makes it easier for banks to check customer information quickly, while GoNomad helps businesses and freelancers get paid globally. Other Nigerian startups like Myltura and Pastel are using AI to improve healthcare and fight financial fraud.

The Google for Start-ups Accelerator Africa AI innovators also include companies working on agriculture, like Shamba Records in Kenya, which gives over 50,000 farmers access to smart credit and market data, and Smartel Agri Tech in Rwanda, which helps farmers detect crop diseases early using solar-powered AI devices. TOLBI from Senegal uses AI and satellite images to predict crop yields, supporting sustainable farming across Africa.

Health is another big focus for the Google for Start-ups Accelerator Africa AI innovators. YeneHealth from Ethiopia has built an app that makes it easier for people to find affordable and reliable medicine and health services. Myltura in Nigeria offers remote healthcare and better management of health records using AI.

The selection process was highly competitive. Nearly 1,500 startups applied, but only 15 were chosen. The winners will now join a three-month hybrid accelerator program, running from June to August 2025. They will receive technical guidance from Google engineers and industry experts, up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits, and support in building their products and growing their businesses. They will also get access to Google’s global network of investors and partners, helping them reach more customers and make a bigger impact.

Folarin Aiyegbusi, Google’s Head of Startup Ecosystem for Africa, said, “African startups are at the forefront of solving critical challenges across the continent, and their work with AI is truly transformative.” He added that Google for Start-ups Accelerator Africa selects AI innovators who deeply understand local needs and can build solutions that really matter.

By supporting these 15 startups, Google for Start-ups Accelerator Africa is helping to shape a future where African technology leads the way in solving both local and global challenges with AI. The program is not just about funding; it’s about giving these AI innovators the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to succeed and make a difference across Africa.

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