Google for Startups Accelerator Africa Announces 15 Startups for Class 10 Cohort

Google  for Startups Accelerator has announced the 15 startups selected for its Class 10 Africa cohort, a group of AI-driven innovators chosen from nearly 2,600 applications across the continent. The programme highlights startups working across fintech, agritech, health tech, mobility, and SaaS, with a shared focus on using artificial intelligence to address critical local and regional challenges.

The selected startups include ventures from multiple African countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Senegal, Tanzania, and Côte d’Ivoire. They are developing solutions ranging from cross-border payments and financial infrastructure to healthcare access, agricultural digitisation, mobility systems, and multilingual AI tools designed for African markets.

Among the cohort is M-Scan, an alumni startup that reflects the broader impact of Africa’s innovation ecosystem. Founded by Phyllis Kyomuhendo, the company developed a low-cost portable ultrasound device that connects to mobile phones, helping improve early detection of pregnancy complications in rural Uganda. The initiative highlights how African founders are leveraging technology to address urgent healthcare gaps.

According to Google, the 10th cohort reflects the growing momentum of AI innovation across the continent. Since the programme’s launch in 2018, it has supported 106 startups from 17 African countries, which together have raised over $263 million and created more than 2,800 jobs. The company noted that the growth of entrepreneurship remains critical to driving both economic and social development across Africa.

The 15 selected startups for Class 10 are:

• Anda Africa (Angola): A mobility and fintech platform formalising and electrifying Angola’s moto-taxi sector using AI-powered credit scoring.
• Bani (Nigeria): A cross-border payments infrastructure platform reducing settlement delays for African businesses.
• Coamana (Kenya): Technology enabling governments and associations to digitise informal food markets.
• Duck (Kenya): A real-time data intelligence platform for retail visibility and stock monitoring.
• Emaisha Pay (Uganda): A platform for agro-traders offering payments, inventory management, and embedded trade finance.
• Loop (South Africa): A mobility and payments platform improving transport and financial access.
• Maad (Senegal): An AI-powered omnichannel platform helping consumer brands expand across African markets.
• MasteryHive AI (Nigeria): An AI system for reconciliation, fraud detection, and AML monitoring.
• Meditect (Côte d’Ivoire): Digital pharmacy management software improving medicine access and inventory systems.
• Regxta (Nigeria): A credit scoring and financial services platform for unbanked micro businesses.
• ReportsAI (Kenya): An AI tool converting raw data into compliance-ready reporting for organisations.
• Safiri (Tanzania): Digital infrastructure platform for transport of people and goods across Africa.
• Termii (Nigeria): An AI-native communications infrastructure platform supporting financial messaging for banks and fintechs.
• Vambo AI (South Africa): Multilingual AI infrastructure supporting African language translation and generative AI tools.
• VunaPay (Kenya): Fintech infrastructure enabling instant payments for cooperatives and smallholder farmers.

The selected founders will participate in a three-month hybrid programme running from April 13 to June 19, 2026. The initiative includes mentorship from industry experts, technical workshops, and access to AI and cloud resources aimed at helping startups scale their solutions and attract follow-on funding.

Google said the programme is designed to strengthen Africa’s startup ecosystem by supporting founders building locally relevant, AI-powered solutions with the potential for significant economic and social impact across the continent.