Google Launches Accelerator Program in Africa, Offering Scholarships to 40,000 Developers
Google Launches Accelerator Program in Africa, Offering Scholarships to 40,000 Developers
Google, one of the world's largest technology company, has announced the opening of applications for its Startups Accelerator program and the launch of a new developer initiative in partnership with Pluralsight and Andela, which will provide scholarships to 40,000 developers across the continent.
According to Google, these efforts align with the company's commitment to fostering the growth of Africa's startup ecosystem.
During a virtual event, the announcements were made at which Google hosted vital industry leaders, policymakers, startup executives, and investors who are driving Africa's tech ecosystem's growth. They examined opportunities arising across the internet economy, emphasizing developer and startup support in the region.
Google for Startups Accelerator
Google Launchpad Accelerator in Africa was launched in 2017 to support the continent's top seed startups. The launchpad accelerator aims to provide equity-free support to over 60 African technology startups.
The three-month program provides selected African startups with the opportunity to leverage Google's vast resources and support to scale their products and businesses. The objective is to assist startups during their critical growth phases.
Applications for the 6th Cohort will begin on June 21, 2021, and will be accepted till May 14.
This edition (now virtual) includes three intensive virtual boot camps, mentorship, and product support for Google products. Applications are being accepted from 17 African countries, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
Through interactive workshops and labs led by Google experts and mentors, the accelerator educates participating startups about technology (AI/ML, Cloud, Android, Firebase), product, data, business, design, people, growth, and fundraising.
Onajite Emerhor, Head of Google for Startups Accelerator Africa, spoke about Google's commitment to continuing the programme despite the COVID-19 pandemic's challenges. Among the Google, Launchpad Accelerator program alumni are 54Gene, FormPlus, ScholarX Thank U Cash, WellaHealth, Medsaf, and AppZone.
Scholarships for 40,000 Developers
Google's new developer initiative provides scholarships to the beginning and intermediate developers based in Africa who have demonstrated proficiency in Android, Web, and Google Cloud development.
A total of 40,000 scholarships will be awarded to developers, with the majority going to those pursuing mobile and cloud development careers.
After the training, the top 1,000 students will receive a full scholarship to pursue Android or Cloud development certification.
Nitin Gajria, Managing Director of Google Sub-Saharan Africa, stated that the growth of entrepreneurship is critical, particularly in the African context. Gajria said that African developers and startups are crucial to the continent's economic transformation.
Why This Initiative Now?
The African startup ecosystem is a critical driver of the continent's economic growth, with the continent's tech sector experiencing a significant increase in startup success stories.
According to the Africa Internet Economic 2020 report sponsored by Google and IFC, Africa's Internet economy is expected to boost the continent's economy by 5.25 percent over the next five years. According to the report, COVID-19's headwinds will not deter the growth of Africa's internet economy, which is projected to contribute nearly $189 billion to the continent's GDP by 2025 and $712 billion by 2050.
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