Google has officially announced the selection of 15 pan-African startups for the highly anticipated 10th cohort of its Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program. This year's selection process was notably competitive, drawing nearly 2,600 applications and resulting in an acceptance rate of less than 1%. Among the distinguished group, four Nigerian startups—Bani, MasteryHive AI, Regxta, and Termii—successfully made the final cut, highlighting the significant innovative spirit within Nigeria's tech ecosystem.

A critical evolution marks the 10th cohort: a pronounced shift in its strategic focus. While previous iterations often encompassed broad digital transformation initiatives, this cohort is specifically dedicated to nurturing deep-tech and AI-native solutions. The program aims to empower startups that are developing advanced technologies explicitly designed to tackle Africa’s most persistent and complex infrastructure challenges. The selected Nigerian startups perfectly embody this new direction, each employing artificial intelligence to bridge critical gaps in financial inclusion and communications across the continent.

Bani is pioneering the development of a robust cross-border payments infrastructure, with the core objective of eradicating the common settlement delays that frequently impede African businesses operating in the global marketplace. MasteryHive AI is focused on optimizing intricate financial operations by automating transaction reconciliation, enhancing fraud detection capabilities, and implementing stringent anti-money laundering (AML) monitoring systems. Regxta is driving innovation in financial services by integrating alternative data-driven credit scoring methodologies with a hybrid digital-agent model, effectively extending crucial financial access to previously unbanked microbusinesses. Furthermore, Termii provides an advanced AI-powered communications infrastructure, meticulously engineered to bolster the reliability and efficiency of financial messaging services for banks and fintech companies.

Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa, conveyed his excitement for the incoming cohort, stating, “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome these exceptional founders into Class 10. African startups are driving essential economic growth and social development. Our role is to serve as a supportive partner, providing these developers and founders with the technical infrastructure, mentorship, and global network they need to scale their solutions and amplify their real-world impact.”

Since its inception in 2018, the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program has cultivated an impressive track record, having provided support to 106 startups spanning 17 African countries. Google reports that participating companies have collectively garnered over $263 million in funding and have been instrumental in generating more than 2,800 jobs. This esteemed legacy includes notable Nigerian alumni from previous cohorts, such as Myltura, Scandium, and Pastel, who were part of the 2025 Class 9. A foundational aspect of the program's enduring appeal is its steadfast commitment to offering equity-free support, which provides a vital lifeline for Series A startups to achieve substantial scale without the dilution of founder ownership. The 10th cohort is slated to participate in a hybrid program format, commencing on April 13th and concluding on June 19th, 2026. Throughout this intensive period, the 15 selected startups will receive dedicated guidance from industry experts and engage in specialized hands-on workshops, with a particular emphasis on practical Machine Learning and AI implementation strategies.