AI-driven African Startup Accelerator Program Picks 15 Startups

AI-driven African Startup Accelerator Program Picks 15 Startups

Quick Reads

• Google selected 15 AI-driven startups for the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa Class 10.
• The class was chosen from nearly 2,600 applicants, the most competitive pool yet.
• Past alumni have collectively raised over $263 million and created 2,800+ jobs.
• Nigeria leads with five startups; Kenya follows with four in the new cohort.
• The three-month hybrid program runs from April 13 to June 19, 2026.

AI-driven African startup accelerator program has selected 15 high-potential startups from nearly 2,600 applicants across Africa, marking one of the most competitive cohorts yet. The latest class highlights a growing wave of innovation powered by artificial intelligence, with founders building solutions across fintech, health tech, agritech, and SaaS while gaining access to mentorship, technical support, and global resources.

The three-month hybrid program runs from April 13th to June 19th, 2026. During that time, each startup receives mentorship from experienced industry experts. They also gain access to technical workshops focused specifically on AI and cloud technologies.

The program’s track record speaks for itself. Since its launch in 2018, the accelerator has supported 106 startups across 17 African countries. Collectively, those alumni have raised over $263 million and created more than 2,800 jobs. The Google for Startups Accelerator Africa Class 10 continues that legacy with a sharp focus on artificial intelligence.

The 15 selected startups span fintech, agritech, health tech, mobility, and SaaS. Nigeria leads the group with five startups: Bani, MasteryHive AI, Regxta, Termii, and Vambo AI. Kenya follows closely with four entries: Coamana, Duck, ReportsAI, and VunaPay. South Africa contributes Loop and Vambo AI, while Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal, Angola, and Ivory Coast each bring one representative.

Among the standout names, Termii provides AI-native communications infrastructure for banks and fintechs. Bani tackles cross-border payment delays for African businesses trading globally. Meanwhile, VunaPay builds fintech infrastructure for cooperatives serving smallholder farmers across Kenya.

Health tech also features prominently in this class. The accelerator previously supported M-Scan, founded by Uganda’s Phyllis Kyomuhendo, whose portable ultrasound device helps detect pregnancy complications early in rural areas. That alumni story illustrates the life-changing potential of startups in this program.

On the mobility front, Angola’s Anda Africa is using AI-powered credit scoring to formalize and electrify the country’s informal moto-taxi workforce. Tanzania’s Safiri is building digital infrastructure to power reliable transportation of people and goods across Africa.

Google’s investment in this ecosystem reflects a broader push to position Africa as a serious player in the global AI economy. As each of these 15 startups scales, their impact ripples outward, creating jobs, strengthening local economies, and building technology that the continent can truly call its own.