Google unveiled first business accelerator for female entrepreneurs in Africa

The leading global technology company Google unveiled an initiative that would provide African women entrepreneurs access to resources and possibilities.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the initiative, called "First Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Entrepreneurs in Africa," will support the inclusion of women in the continent's innovation sector. Registration for the initiative is currently open, according to Folarin Aiyegbusi, the Director of the Google Startup ecosystem for Africa. The deadline to apply is February 20.

In his statement, he expressed Google's excitement regarding the open call for entries for its three-month accelerator program, which is specially designed to solve the particular difficulties faced by female innovators in Africa.

He asserts that supporting female entrepreneurs in Africa is essential for economic empowerment and employment creation for the continent's expanding youth population.

"African female founders confront obstacles in their business endeavors, such as limited finance options. "Despite these obstacles, 58% of African firms are held by women, who represent a major share of the continent's entrepreneurs. To advance gender equality and foster wealth creation in Africa, he said, it is essential to increase the presence and leading of women in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

He claims that industry professionals who have mentored other women founders will support and guide the affected individual users throughout the program. He asserted that the sector specialists will be crucial in assisting the startups in accomplishing goals and making a constructive contribution to their local communities.

The initiative is a continuation of the 2017-founded Google for Companies Accelerator Africa Programme. It demonstrates Google's commitment to assisting startups and resolving the particular difficulties encountered by female entrepreneurs in Africa.

The 12-week program, he claims, will start in March 2023 and will comprise one boot camp each month that will be conducted in a mix of digital and in-person sessions. To help their firms expand, he stated, "selected participants will gain access to Google's products, mentoring from business leaders, resources, tools, and innovation, as well as professional networks and contacts with investors."

Akua Nyame-Mensah, one of the mentors, expressed his happiness at having been chosen to serve as a mentor in the first Google for Startup Fellowship Program for Women Founders. According to Kwame-Mensah, the program provided women with the opportunity to expand their networks and the motivation to achieve their professional goals as part of its support for the next generation of African leaders.