African founders can now apply for the Google Startup Accelerator Program

Google has announced that it is now receiving applications from African startups for its upcoming three-month virtual accelerator program.

The technology company, which made this known on Wednesday, says startups from 17 African countries can now send in their applications to attend the African edition of Google’s virtual accelerator program, which will come up in 2022. 

Startups that are eligible to join these accelerator programs are expected to be located in Algeria, Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.

According to the company, the virtual accelerator program will run for 3 months; from March through May 2022. It will be held with a one-week virtual bootcamp per month. 

Google has continually proven to be a supporter of startups in Africa and will use this three-month virtual accelerator program to provide intensive virtual training bootcamps, mentorship, and Google product support for selected startups. 

Benefits of the program for startup

In addition to the finest of Google’s networks, innovative technology, experts, and mentors, early-growth stage startups will also have access to the company’s equity-free support. 

Google makes this announcement months after it pledged $6 million in grants and support to the Black Founders Fund (BFF) Africa program and the Tony Elumelu Foundation to help grow Africa’s startup ecosystem.

“We are honoured to have yet another opportunity to connect with African innovators and empower them through the seventh Class of GFSAA. We know that, as with previous Classes, we are on the cusp of uncovering some outstanding technology-led solutions to some of the continent’s most pressing challenges, developed by Africans themselves,”

Andy Volk, Google’s developer and startup ecosystem efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Applications for the 7th edition of the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa Program are now opened for eligible startups from now till the 14th of January 2022.

Previous Success of the Accelerator program

The Google for Businesses Accelerator Africa program was launched in 2017 with the goal of assisting startups in scaling their solutions across Africa. 

So far, 82 companies from 17  different African nations have taken part in the program. These companies have raised over US$117 million in capital while employing over 2,800 people throughout the continent. 

Since its successful launch in 2018, the Google for Africa accelerator program has graduated 67 startups across 17 African countries, including Ghana’s OMG digital, Kenya’s Flexpay, and Nigeria’s Piggyvest, to mention a few.