Fewer than one in every hundred applicants made it through. Four of those who did are Nigerian.
Four Nigerian tech startups have been selected for the 10th cohort of the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa, earning spots in a programme that accepted fewer than one per cent of nearly 2,600 applicants from across the continent. The companies, Bani, MasteryHive AI, Regxta, and Termii, join 15 startups in total for Class 10, making Nigeria the single most represented country in this year’s cohort.
Who Made the Cut
The four Nigerian companies are building artificial intelligence powered solutions targeting some of the most persistent problems in Africa’s financial infrastructure. Bani is tackling cross border payment delays, building infrastructure that helps African businesses settle international transactions faster. MasteryHive AI automates transaction reconciliation, fraud detection, and anti money laundering monitoring for financial institutions.
Regxta uses alternative data to score creditworthiness, helping unbanked micro businesses that traditional lenders typically overlook gain access to financial products. Furthermore, Termii rounds out the Nigerian contingent, contributing to a cohort focused heavily on practical, revenue generating financial technology solutions rather than speculative innovation.
A Highly Competitive Programme
Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup Ecosystem for Africa at Google, said the founders in this cohort represent the broader momentum building across the continent. “African startups are driving essential economic growth and social development,” he said, describing Google’s role as a supportive partner providing technical infrastructure, mentorship, and global network access.
The three month hybrid programme, running from April 13 to June 19, gave all 15 startups access to mentorship, AI and machine learning workshops, and support to prepare for follow on funding. Consequently, the programme functions not just as recognition but as a genuine accelerant toward each company’s next growth stage.
What This Says About Nigeria’s Tech Ecosystem
Nigeria’s position as the most represented country in this cohort reflects a broader pattern within Africa’s startup landscape. StartupBlink data shows Nigeria now hosts 1,475 tracked startups, with 31.8 per cent growth recorded in 2025 alone and total funding surpassing $2.17 billion across the ecosystem.
The other eleven startups in Class 10 came from Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Senegal, Tanzania, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, and Zimbabwe, spanning agritech, health tech, mobility, and software sectors. However, Nigeria’s four selections underscore why the country continues to attract the most attention from global tech investors and accelerators looking to back Africa’s next generation of founders.
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