Google has unveiled the inaugural cohort for its ‘Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First’ program, and three Nigerian startups have made the list. This prestigious program is designed to support innovative startups across Africa that are leveraging cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) to tackle local and global challenges.
Among the 11 startups selected for this program, Famasi Africa, Izifin, and Vzy, all from Nigeria, have secured their spots. Famasi Africa is dedicated to building an operating system for pharmacies in emerging markets. Izifin offers an end-to-end credit infrastructure through APIs for small businesses. Vzy is revolutionizing website creation using AI-driven tools, allowing for the rapid development of websites in just minutes.
Google’s choice to include these startups highlights the transformative potential of AI in Africa. According to a McKinsey report, AI could contribute $1.3 trillion to Africa’s GDP by 2030.
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The selected startups will embark on a 10-week accelerator journey as part of the program. In addition to receiving Google’s AI expertise, they will be granted $350,000 in Google Cloud Credits. Moreover, they will benefit from mentorship sessions, technical guidance, and networking opportunities, all aimed at enhancing their reach and impact.
Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa at Google, emphasized the importance of AI as a powerful enabler and platform shift. He expressed Google’s excitement about supporting these startups in leveraging AI to address both local and global challenges.
Adeola Ayoola, CEO and Co-founder of Famasi Africa spoke about the significance of their selection for the program. He shared their mission of scaling AI-powered digital health solutions to reach underserved communities and expressed confidence in Google’s mentorship to help achieve their goals.
Other startups from across Africa, including South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, and Ethiopia, were also selected for the program. These startups are poised to make significant strides in their respective fields with Google’s support.
Since 2017, Google has consistently demonstrated its commitment to supporting African startups through various programs. Collectively, these startups have raised an impressive $263 million and have generated over 2,800 job opportunities, showcasing the growing impact of the tech ecosystem in Africa.
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