Google’s AI Accelerator Taps Innovators from Three East African Nations

Google has announced the selection of 15 startups for the ninth cohort of its Google for Startups Accelerator: Africa program. The companies, chosen from over 1,500 applicants across the continent, are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to address pressing challenges in sectors such as logistics, agriculture, healthcare, compliance, and finance.

Two Kenyan startups, Apexloads and Shamba Records, are among those selected. Apexloads provides a logistics software platform that helps freight brokers, forwarders, and transporters move cargo more efficiently with verified partners. The company currently operates in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania and is preparing to expand into Zambia and Rwanda.

“The resources help us bring on board the talent we need to serve our customers and grow our user base. We’ll be able to engage more with users and iterate faster as we push to standardize and streamline the logistics industry in Africa,” said Charles Thuo, Founder and CEO of Apexloads.

Shamba Records supports over 50,000 farmers with AI-driven tools for smart credit access, market insights, and climate-resilient farming solutions.

The selected startups will undergo a three-month program that provides technical mentorship from Google engineers, business support, strategic guidance, and up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits. They will also gain access to a global network of investors and partners.

“This program reflects our belief that AI can be transformative when shaped by those who understand the context deeply. We are incredibly excited to support these founders who are building for impact and helping to shape an inclusive AI ecosystem across Africa,” said Folarin Aiyegbusi, Google’s Head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa.

The selected startups are drawn from Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa. They include Nigeria’s Pastel, which is addressing financial sector challenges with AI, and Ghana’s Regulon, which is focused on compliance solutions.

Ethiopia’s YeneHealth is applying AI to improve healthcare services, while Rwanda’s Smartel Agri Tech and Senegal’s TOLBI are building AI-powered tools to advance agriculture. South Africa’s Rapid Human AI is accelerating software development with its innovative platform.

Since launching in 2018, Google’s accelerator has supported 153 startups from 17 African countries, with alumni collectively raising over $300 million and creating more than 3,500 jobs.