Tech Giant Google is disbursing 40,000 scholarships to Kenya and 16 African countries in a bid to strengthen development of mobile and cloud software products.
The scholarships will offer Android, Web and Google Cloud Skills development at beginner and intermediate level.
The top 1,000 students at the end of the training will earn a full scholarship to certify on Android or Cloud development.
“Last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first virtual class of Google for Startups Accelerator Africa was launched. It was the first all-online iteration of Google’s accelerator program for Africa, and saw 20 Startups from seven countries undergo a 12-week virtual journey to redefine their offering, while receiving mentoring and attending workshops. “With the 6th cohort coming in 2021, we want to continue playing our part via support to developers and startups within the Africa tech ecosystem,” says Onajte Emerhor, Head of Google for Startups Accelerator Africa, that Google is running in partnership with Pluralsight and Andela.
Applicants have at least three weeks to apply for the 6th Cohort of Google for Startups Accelerator programme, that runs until 14 May.
The virtual event at which Google hosted key industry players, policy leads, startup executives and investors driving the growth of Africa’s tech ecosystem reviewed opportunities unfolding throughout the internet economy.
Successful applicants will undertake a three month Google for Startups Accelerator programme, slated to start on 21 June, 2021 that will include 3 intensive virtual training bootcamps, mentorship and Google product support.
Beneficiaries drawn from Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe will receive support enabling them to scale through the initial infancy stages from product development to commercialisation.
Africa’s startups ecosystem has proven resilient, churning out new businesses, jobs and enhancing efficiency in business processes while helping companies to reduce operational costs and opening up new opportunities.
According to the Africa Internet Economy 2020 report, sponsored by Google and IFC, Africa’s Internet economy is poised to boost the continent’s economy by 5.25% in the next five years.
The report comments that the headwinds caused by COVID-19 will not deter the projected growth of Africa’s internet economy, which is projected to contribute nearly $189 billion to Africa’s GDP by 2025, increasing to $712 billion by 2050.
Nitin Gajria, Managing Director of Google Sub-Saharan Africa says entrepreneurship growth in Africa is critical to the survival of the continent as developers and startups create new opportunities paving the way for the economic and social development on the continent.
“We recognise Africa’s exceptional digital potential, and that is why Google is committed to providing this critical support for African startups,” says Mr Gajria.
Google for Startups Accelerator Africa gives early-growth stage startups access to the best of Google – its people, networks, and advanced technologies.
The accelerator trains participating startups on technology (AI/ML, Cloud, Android, Firebase), product, data, business, design, people, growth and fundraising, through interactive workshops and labs facilitated by Google experts and mentors.
Google continues to support developer communities across Sub-Saharan Africa, through Google Developer Groups, Developer Student Clubs and Women Techmakers, providing training and support for developers that is aligned with real-life job competency requirements.
Community groups engage in activities like Study Jams: study groups facilitated by developers, for developers. Today there are over 120 active developer communities across 25 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
