Google Opens 10th Accelerator Cohort, Shifts Focus to AI-First African Startups
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Chidimma Ayogu
- February 26, 2026
Hi, it’s TechWave Daily here.
Google has opened applications for the 10th cohort of the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa, introducing a sharper focus on AI-driven innovation as the program enters its second decade.
Applications close March 18, 2026, for the three-month, equity-free accelerator targeting Series A African startups building artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions.
The accelerator will run from April to June 2026 and is specifically designed for growth-stage startups headquartered in Africa or building Africa-focused products using AI and machine learning.
The shift signals Google’s increasing commitment to supporting AI startups in Africa as part of its broader digital transformation agenda.
“For Class 10, we are focusing on the potential of AI to drive health and societal benefits, providing the infrastructure and expertise to turn these startups into the research labs of the continent.” said Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa at Google.
An AI-First Accelerator Program
Unlike previous cohorts that supported startups across broad digital sectors, the 2026 edition is branded as an “AI First” program. It prioritizes deep-tech founders building scalable machine learning startups in Africa.
The 12-week hybrid program will select 10 to 15 startups to participate in technical workshops, one-on-one mentoring, sprint projects, and group learning sessions.
Founders will outline key engineering challenges and work directly with Google engineers and industry experts to solve them.
Participants gain early access to Google AI products through its Early Access Program and Trusted Tester initiatives, receive Google Cloud credits, attend exclusive technical bootcamps, and tap into Google’s global network of mentors and partners.
Importantly, the Google AI accelerator Africa remains equity-free, meaning startups do not give up ownership to participate.
Track Record Across Africa’s Startup Ecosystem
Since launching in 2018, the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa has supported more than 180 startups across 17 countries. Alumni have collectively raised over $350 million and created more than 3,700 direct jobs.
Past participants include companies in fintech, healthtech, agritech, logistics, and edtech that have scaled across Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, and Egypt. The program has become one of the continent’s most visible corporate-backed accelerators, helping founders refine products, scale infrastructure, and raise follow-on funding.
Why This AI Focus Matters
The emphasis on artificial intelligence in Africa comes at a crucial moment. African startups face unique AI challenges, including limited labeled datasets, high cloud computing costs, infrastructure gaps, and difficulty hiring specialized AI talent.
By pairing startups directly with Google engineers and providing Cloud infrastructure support, the accelerator addresses technical bottlenecks around model optimization and scaling.
For Series A startups in Africa, this stage is important. Many companies have achieved early traction but require stronger infrastructure and AI refinement to scale sustainably. Direct technical mentorship at this point can significantly impact long-term growth.
The change represents a larger shift away from consumer-facing apps and toward deep-tech, research-driven innovation at the ecosystem level. The goal of Google’s AI-first cohort is to position African founders as creators of internationally competitive AI solutions rather than merely technology users.
Application Timeline
Applications close March 18, 2026. The program begins in April and concludes in June with a Demo Day presentation to investors, partners, and ecosystem stakeholders.
Interested founders can apply at g.co/acceleratorafrica. Selected startups will join Google’s alumni network for continued mentorship, investor connections, and post-program support.
As AI becomes a defining force in global technology, this 10th cohort could play a projectile role in shaping the next generation of African AI companies.
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