Google Offers 40,000 Developer Scholarships in Africa

Google Expands Developer Support in Africa with New Scholarships and Accelerator Program

Google has revealed plans to distribute 40,000 new developer scholarships throughout Africa. These scholarships, a collaborative effort with Pluralsight and Andela, will focus on both mobile and cloud development training tracks.

Scholarship Details and Eligibility

The company’s official statement indicates that the top 1,000 performing students – encompassing both beginner and intermediate-level developers – will be awarded full scholarships. These scholarships will include certifications in Android and cloud development upon successful completion of the training.

The announcement was made during a virtual event and further elaborated upon in a post on the company’s official blog. Key figures within Africa’s technology sector were present, where discussions centered on emerging opportunities within the internet economy, with a particular emphasis on bolstering developers and startups in the region.

Google for Startups Accelerator Program Continues

Beyond the scholarship initiative, Google also announced the continuation of its accelerator program designed for African startups. This year marks the sixth cohort of the Google for Startups Accelerator program.

The program, a three-month intensive experience, is scheduled to commence on June 21st, with applications being accepted until May 14th. Like the previous iteration, this cohort will be conducted virtually.

Adapting to Virtual Acceleration

Last year, the program transitioned to a fully virtual format in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This inaugural online class of Google for Startups Accelerator Africa involved 20 startups originating from seven different countries. Participants engaged in a 12-week virtual program focused on refining their offerings through mentorship and workshops, as stated by Onajite Emerhor, head of Google for Startups Accelerator Africa.

“Our aim this year, with the sixth cohort, is to further our commitment to supporting both developers and startups within the African tech ecosystem,” Emerhor added. “We want to ensure they have access to the resources and support needed for continued growth.”

Program History and Expansion

Previously known as Google Launchpad Accelerator, Google for Startups Accelerator Africa has supported a total of 50 startups across 17 African nations. In 2020, the program selected 20 startups, with representation from Nigeria (8), Kenya (6), South Africa (2), and one startup each from Ghana, Tunisia, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe.

For this sixth cohort, the program intends to broaden its reach, including startups from countries such as Egypt, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Google’s Commitment to African Tech

Nitin Gajria, managing director of Google Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship, particularly within the African context. He stated that African developers and startups are instrumental in the continent’s economic transformation, fostering new opportunities and driving social and economic progress.

“Google recognizes the significant digital potential of Africa and remains dedicated to providing crucial support to African startups,” Gajria affirmed.

Strengthening Developer Communities

Google actively cultivates developer communities throughout the continent, currently maintaining over 120 communities across 25 Sub-Saharan African countries. In addition to the newly announced scholarship program and existing groups like Google Developer Groups and Developer Student Clubs, Google has established a Google Developers Space in Nigeria to facilitate interaction between developers and other technology industry stakeholders.