Four Kenyan startups selected for Google Africa Accelerator program

Four Kenyan technology startups have secured spots in the 10th cohort of the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa, emerging from a highly competitive pool of nearly 2,600 applicants across the continent.

The startups; Coamana, Duck, ReportsAI and VunaPay, are part of a final cohort of 15 companies drawn from across Africa, reflecting an acceptance rate of less than one percent.

Their inclusion underscores Kenya’s growing reputation as a hub for cutting-edge innovation, particularly in the field of Artificial Intelligence.

Each of the selected firms is leveraging AI to tackle pressing challenges in key sectors. Coamana is working to digitize informal food markets by building infrastructure that enables governments and market associations to access real-time data.

Duck offers consumer brands visibility into retail performance to prevent stock shortages, while ReportsAI helps organizations transform raw data into structured, compliance-ready insights.

VunaPay, on the other hand, is focused on fintech solutions that support cooperatives and smallholder farmers with instant payments and financial services.

Speaking on the milestone, Coamana CEO Hafsah Jumare highlighted the importance of data visibility in informal markets across Africa.

She noted that most food trade occurs in traditional setups that remain largely undocumented, adding that the accelerator will play a key role in scaling their AI-powered solution and strengthening data systems.

“Most food trade across Africa happens in traditional markets, but these markets remain largely invisible and unsupported. With MarketView, we’re building infrastructure to make them visible, using AI to interpret real-time data so businesses and governments can actually see what’s happening and act on it,” she said.

“Through the accelerator, we’re focused on scaling this across more markets and strengthening the underlying data systems and integrations that make this intelligence usable at scale. Even in the first week, the technical mentorship and network provided have already been valuable in sharpening how we approach this.”

The accelerator program, which runs from April 13 to June 19, 2026, will provide participants with mentorship, technical training, and access to advanced tools in AI and machine learning.

According to Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa, the initiative is designed to equip African founders with the infrastructure and networks needed to scale impactful solutions.

“African startups are driving essential economic growth and social development. Our role is to serve as a supportive partner, providing these developers and founders with the technical infrastructure, mentorship, and global network they need to scale their solutions and amplify their real-world impact,” he said.

The selection comes at a time when Africa’s tech ecosystem continues to show resilience. In 2025 alone, startups on the continent raised $3.9 billion, signaling sustained investor confidence despite global economic uncertainties.

However, experts note that scaling deep-tech solutions still requires access to specialized infrastructure and mentorship; gaps that accelerator programs aim to bridge.

Since its launch in 2018, the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa has supported 106 startups from 17 countries, collectively helping them raise over $263 million and create more than 2,800 jobs.