Google’s latest accelerator cohort is sending a clear signal about where African innovation is heading next — and Nigeria is right in the middle of it.
According to the report, four Nigerian startups; Bani, MasteryHive AI, Regxta, and Termii have been selected for the 10th cohort of the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa, standing out from nearly 2,600 applications.
That acceptance rate is tight. Less than 1%. Which makes this more than just another accelerator announcement.
Each of the selected startups is building around real infrastructure problems, not just consumer apps.
Bani is tackling cross-border payments, trying to eliminate settlement delays for African businesses operating globally. MasteryHive AI is focused on automating reconciliation, fraud detection, and compliance processes. Regxta is working on alternative credit scoring to reach underserved businesses, while Termii is strengthening communication infrastructure for fintechs and banks.
There’s a pattern here.
This cohort leans heavily into AI and deep-tech, a shift from earlier programs that focused more broadly on digital transformation. Google is now betting on startups solving harder, more foundational problems across finance and infrastructure.
The program itself runs for about three months, offering mentorship, technical support, and access to Google’s tools without taking equity.
That model has worked before. Since launch, the accelerator has supported over 100 startups across Africa, with participants collectively raising hundreds of millions of dollars and creating thousands of jobs.
But the bigger takeaway isn’t just the selection.
It’s the direction.
African startups are no longer just building apps for convenience. More of them are moving into systems that power payments, credit, compliance, and communication, the kind of infrastructure that quietly shapes how economies function.
