Google has announced the launch of three new initiatives aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs in Africa.
The initiatives include the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa: Women Founders Cohort, the Hustle Academy for Women-Led SMEs, and a social media series celebrating inspiring women in Africa’s technology sector.
The initiatives, according to the company, are in honor of International Women’s Day.
Commenting on the initiatives, Head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa, Folarin Aiayegbusi, said, “We are thrilled to announce the selected startups for the inaugural class of our Google for Startups Accelerator Africa: Women Founders Cohort.
Explaining, Google stated that its hustle academy is a boot camp-style training program designed to help entrepreneurs increase revenue, position themselves for investment, and build sustainable businesses for the future. It stated that it will host six women-focused cohorts of the hustle academy programme in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa throughout the month of March.
The firm further stated that it has selected 15 startups from Nigeria, and seven other African countries for the initiatives.
The Head of Communications, Google Africa, Dorothy Ooko, added, “At Google, we are committed to providing women entrepreneurs in Africa with access to funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Through our programs, we aim to bridge the gap and empower women to succeed in their respective fields.”
According to the firm, the startups selected for the for Startups Accelerator Africa Women Founders Cohort includes, Afriwell Health (Congo), Alajo App (Nigeria), eWaka (Kenya), Farmer Lifeline (Kenya), Maxibuy (Nigeria), MosMos (Kenya), Gobeba (Kenya), Hepta Pay (Rwanda), Jem HR (South Africa), Kola Market (Ghana), Mipango (Tanzania), Smart Ikigega (Rwanda), Suitch (Cameroon), Tyms Africa (Nigeria), and Zydii (Kenya).