Business a.m.
Google has opened applications for the 2025 Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programme, a three-month initiative designed to support early-stage startups using artificial intelligence to address Africa's most pressing challenges.
The development comes amid reports showing that across the continent, startups are demonstrating how local innovation can solve deeply rooted problems. A notable example of this can be found in West Africa where Crop2Cash, an agritech platform and alumni of the programme, is using AI to digitally onboard smallholder farmers, build their financial identities, and provide them with access to credit, traceable payments, and productivity tools. Through these efforts, Crop2Cash is improving agricultural outcomes and unlocking economic opportunity for farmers who have long been excluded from formal systems—illustrating the kind of impact that’s possible when African startups receive the support they need to scale.
Business a.m. gathered that the Accelerator programme is open to Seed to Series A startups based in Africa that are building AI-first solutions. To ensure participation, startups must have a live product, at least one founder of African descent, and a clear vision for responsible AI innovation. Selected participants will receive:
- Dedicated technical mentorship from Google and industry experts
- Up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits
- Access to a global network of investors, partners, and collaborators
- Workshops focused on technology, product strategy, people leadership, and AI implementation