Fifteen high‑impact, AI‑focused startups from seven African nations have been selected for Google for Startups Accelerator: Africa Class 9, a rigorous three‑month hybrid acceleration program that runs from June 23 to August 22, 2025. These ventures were chosen from nearly 1,500 applications, underscoring the continent’s vibrant AI innovation landscape.
The selected startups hailing from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, Ethiopia, and South Africa are leveraging AI to transform sectors including fintech, agriculture, healthtech, logistics, and compliance.
The Class 9 cohort includes:
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AFRIKABAL (Rwanda) – An AI- and blockchain-driven crop trading platform connecting farmers, logistics providers, and buyers.
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Apexloads (Kenya) – Logistics SaaS that streamlines freight operations via verified partners.
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E‑doc Online (Nigeria) – AI-powered compliance and credit assessments using real-time banking data.
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GoNomad (Nigeria) – Enables solopreneurs and businesses to invoice and receive payments globally with localized tools.
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Midddleman (Nigeria) – AI-driven import sourcing and cross-border payment platform.
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Myltura (Nigeria) – AI-based digital health platform offering remote care and data management.
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Pastel (Nigeria) – Enterprise AI tools for fraud detection and AML in finance.
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Rapid Human AI (South Africa) – Turns ideas into working code rapidly with AI-driven design-to-code workflows.
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Regulon (Ghana) – AI-powered regulatory compliance and business onboarding platform.
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Scandium (Nigeria) – AI QA suite enabling fast, bug-free software deployments.
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Shamba Records (Kenya) – Empowers over 50,000 farmers with market access, smart credit, and climate-resilient agri-tools.
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Smartel Agri Tech (Rwanda) – Solar-powered AI devices and SMS alerts for early crop disease detection.
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TOLBI (Senegal) – AI plus satellite imagery for precise crop yield forecasting, supporting sustainable agriculture.
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YeneHealth (Ethiopia) – AI-optimized digital health services offering access to affordable medications and care.
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Zerone Analytiqs (Ghana) – Tackles data scarcity across Africa by improving how data is sourced, analyzed, and applied.
During the program, the startups will benefit from:
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Up to US $350,000 in Google Cloud credits
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Direct technical mentorship from Google engineers and AI experts
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Workshops in AI/ML development, product leadership, strategic growth, and business scaling
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Access to investor networks, partners, and global visibility opportunities.
Since its inception in 2018, the Accelerator has helped 153 startups from 17 countries, which have collectively raised more than $300 million in funding and generated over 3,500 jobs. Google has contributed $5 million in equity-free support through funding and product credits.
Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup Ecosystem in Africa at Google, noted:
“African startups are at the forefront of solving critical challenges across the continent, and their work with AI is truly transformative. This program reflects our belief that AI can be transformative when shaped by those who understand the context deeply.”
This year’s cohort reflects Google’s commitment to empowering founders building inclusive, impactful, tech-first solutions for Africa’s future.
As AI becomes increasingly central to global innovation, African entrepreneurs are proving they can lead with contextually informed, locally rooted solutions from smart agriculture to digital health, financial compliance, logistics optimization, and more.
The Class 9 cohort showcases regional diversity particularly strong innovation in Nigeria, Kenya, and Rwanda highlighting how AI-first startups are poised to accelerate impact and unlock opportunity across the continent.
About the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa: Founded in 2018, the program supports seed to Series A startups across Africa, focuses on AI-first ventures with social and economic impact, and fffers mentorship, grants, Google Cloud credits, expert networking, and ongoing support beyond the acceleration window.
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