In Uganda, 16 women die every day due to pregnancy complications, with many of these tragic losses preventable through early detection using ultrasounds. Witnessing this devastating reality firsthand, Phyllis Kyomuhendo founded M-Scan, an alumni of our Google for Startups Accelerator. Her team developed a low-cost, portable device that pairs with mobile devices to produce life-saving ultrasound scans, ensuring early detection for women in rural areas.

Phyllis’s journey reflects a much larger, continent-wide movement. From bustling cities to rural communities, African founders are stepping up to solve deeply rooted problems with bold, tech-driven ideas. This wave of homegrown innovation is vital, as the growth of entrepreneurship is essential for creating jobs and enabling both economic and social development across the region. Since introducing the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program in 2018, we have been privileged to support this momentum, working alongside 106 startups from 17 African countries. As these companies scale, their human and economic impact multiplies—to date, our alumni have collectively raised over $263 million and created more than 2,800 jobs.

Today, we are thrilled to introduce the next group of innovators driving this change: the 15 exceptional startups selected for Class 10. Chosen from an intensely competitive pool of nearly 2,600 applications, these founders represent a wide variety of sectors, including fintech, agritech, health tech, mobility, and SaaS. What unites them is their innovative application of Artificial Intelligence to address specific, critical challenges in their respective countries.

Investing in this ecosystem benefits everyone involved; as these startups grow, they advance local economies, which ultimately benefits the entire continent. To support their vital work, this three-month hybrid program—running from April 13th to June 19th, 2026—will provide these founders with mentorship from experienced mentors and industry experts. They will also gain access to technical workshops and resources focused on AI and cloud technologies, equipping them to scale their impact and prepare for follow-on funding.