This archive report was first published on 21 June 2021.
On June 21, 2021, Google rolled out three programs worth Kshs. 642 million ($6 million) to support women and young entrepreneurs in at least 13 African countries.
The tech giant has partnered with the Tony Elumelu Foundation to grant Kshs. 321 million ($3 million) to support women-owned startups in the continent.
Under this program, Google.org will provide entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and coaching to at least 5,000 women, as well as seed capital in the form of one-time cash grants to 500 African women aspiring entrepreneurs in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and other Francophone countries.
‘We are dedicated to building a world where all women can thrive. According to data collected by the World Bank in 10 African countries, male-owned enterprises have six times more access to capital than female-owned enterprises. This huge capital gap is not stopping the rise of female entrepreneurs, but it slows them down and makes their journeys that much more challenging,’ said Nitin Gajria, Managing Director of Google Sub-Saharan Africa.
Google has also launched a Kshs. 321 million ($3 million) fund dubbed Black Founders Fund for Africa (BFF Africa) which is expected to benefit 50 budding startups in Kenya, Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
The fund will be implemented by Google for Startups partner, Co-Creation Hub that has a presence in Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda.
Additionally, Google for Startups Accelerator Africa class 6 will select 15 startups to participate in a three-month online program comprising virtual training bootcamps, mentorship, and Google product support.
