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Google Launches 3 New Programmes to Bolster African Innovation and Female Entrepreneurship
Google has renewed its commitment to growing Africa’s startup ecosystem with the announcement of a new Google for Startups Accelerator (GFSA) Africa class, the launch and opening of applications for a new $3 million Black Founders Fund (BFF) Africa programme.
The company also announced additional application for Google.org-backed $3 million grant to the Tony Elumelu Foundation, leading philanthropy empowering young entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries, to support female entrepreneurs on the continent.
Applications for GFSA Africa opened earlier this year making way for 15 startups, from across the continent, to join the 6th class of the programme starting on 21 June, 2021.
The three-month online programme, which includes virtual training bootcamps, mentorship and Google product support, is designed to support these nascent businesses through their early growth phases.
In a further show of support for innovation on the continent, a new $3M Google for Startups Black Founders Fund Africa is launching as part of Google’s global commitment to support underserved communities.
This fund, which is part of the company’s racial equity commitments announced in June 2020, will provide cash awards and hands-on support to 50 Black-led startups in Africa and, unlike most startup investments, it does not require founders to give up any equity in exchange for funding.
Google will be working with the Co-Creation Hub, a Google for Startups partner and leading tech community hub with presence in Nigeria, Kenya and Rwanda, to distribute the funding to the selected companies across Africa.
Applications are now open for access to funding, as well as technical and business support, for 50 early-stage startups across the continent in 2021.
BFF Africa is open to all startups in Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe, that meet the eligibility criteria. Applications will close on 7 July, 2021.
“It’s encouraging to see Google’s continued dedication to strengthening and elevating the startup ecosystem in Africa.
“Google was one of the early believers in tech entrepreneurs on the continent and this support over the last 10 years reflects a thoughtful commitment.
“This programme is extremely timely and will not only empower founders across the continent but also deepen the pipeline and unlock follow-on funding from both local and foreign investors,” says Bosun Tijani, Co-founder & CEO at Co-Creation Hub.
“Google understands that the growth and success of one player in the startup space lays the path for others. This is what drives the commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and startups and effectively driving employment and enabling both economic and social development on the continent.
“We are determined to help black founders grow their businesses, not just through access to capital but also through access to the best of Google’s resources,” says Nitin Gajria, managing director of Google Sub-Saharan Africa.
Furthermore, Google.org’s $3M grant support to the Tony Elumelu Foundation will go towards providing entrepreneurship training, mentorship and coaching to at least 5,000 women with low digital skills, who come from rural areas and currently operate in an informal sector.
Seed capital in the form of one-time cash grants will also be provided to 500 African women aspiring entrepreneurs in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and select Francophone countries.
This will prepare women founders who otherwise wouldn’t have access to opportunity to navigate their businesses through the startup journey.
“We are dedicated to building a world where all women can thrive. According to data collected by the World Bank in 10 African countries, male-owned enterprises have six times more capital than female owned enterprises.
“This huge capital gap is not stopping the rise of female entrepreneurs, but it slows them down and makes their journeys that much more challenging.
“We hope that the support to The Tony Elumelu Foundation will help accelerate the growth of women techmakers and entrepreneurs in Africa,” adds Gajria.
“As Africa’s leading philanthropy empowering young African entrepreneurs, this grant support will provide financial and technical support for additional women-owned businesses and marginalized groups in the informal sector through the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme.
“There is no better time to invest in women’s economic participation on the continent than now. Through this support, women will drive growth for local economies and enable better living conditions for their communities.
“We are delighted to disburse the Google.org grant to scale our ongoing efforts to empower young African entrepreneurs as we believe this will be instrumental in building much-needed businesses and resilient economies,” concludes Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, CEO at Tony Elumelu Foundation.
Those interested in applying for the Google for Startups, Black Founders Fund Africa may find more information at goo.gle/BFFAfrica.
National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to promote locally manufactured renewable energy technologies under the Federal Government’s ‘Nigeria First Policy’.
L-R: EVC/CEO, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu; Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Abraham Adedokun; and Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), at the signing of the MoU on implementation of Nigeria First Policy for offtake of NSSENI’s renewable energy products for rural electrification projects held on Friday, June 19, 2026 at BPP’s office in Abuja.
The agreement signing was facilitated by the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Abraham Adedokun at the BPP headquarters in Abuja on Friday, June 19, 2026.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, said the Agency is focused on linking research, production, and commercialization to ensure that innovations are translated into market-ready products.
He said “NASENI would scale up renewable energy production, including solar panels and streetlights, through initiatives such as DefFrontier, to strengthen local manufacturing and reduce import dependence, adding that the Agency will meet the renewable energy requirements of REA.”
Instead of continuous importation of technologies, machines and equipment for producing renewable energy solutions, NASENI by this MoU will be committed to local manufacturing and domestication of the technologies, equipment and other ways and means of proliferation of renewable resource in the country and to increase the nation’s off-grid energy solutions.
The Managing Director/CEO of REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the relationship with NASENI as a strategic partnership aimed at building Nigeria’s renewable energy ecosystem through local production and deployment.
He stated that “while NASENI provides the manufacturing and technological capacity for renewable equipment, REA will focus on deploying solutions to expand electricity across rural areas.”
Meanwhile, the Director-General of BPP, Dr. Adebowale Abraham Adedokun, said the Nigeria First Policy, exemplified by this agreement, is aimed at strengthening local content, ensuring value for money, and promoting accountability in public procurement.
He emphasized that implementation of the agreement will be performance-based, with strict monitoring to ensure compliance and measurable outcome. He added that the MoU is expected to deepen collaboration between NASENI and REA in expanding renewable energy and reducing dependence on imported technologies.
The MoU will be implemented through NASENI’s subsidiary company, NASENI Devfrontier Green Energy FZE and REA limited liability company, RAMco.The two Federal Government agencies seek to establish a strategic collaboration under which REA shall offtake PV modules, inverters, energy storage batteries of NASENI-Devfrontier Green Energy FZE directly or through its approved distribution companies/assembly and manufacturing factory.
As part of the agreement, REA shall provide institutional visibility to enable NASENI participate in electrification projects; facilitate opportunities for engagements between NASENI and eligible developers/contractors under REA programs; ensure that such facilitation is consistent with applicable procurement, local content, and transparency requirements; and also collaborate with NASENI in promoting standardized, high-quality PV technologies across its programme portfolio.
Telecom
TikTok, ICC Gather Nigeria’s Entrepreneurs to Drive Small Business Growth and Digital Transformation
TikTok, in collaboration with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), on Thursday convened hundreds of entrepreneurs, small business owners, digital creators and industry stakeholders in Lagos for a flagship Digital Commerce Labs (DCL) event aimed at accelerating digital skills development and economic inclusion across Sub-Saharan Africa.
TikTok
The event, supported by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), brought together participants from across Nigeria’s business and technology ecosystem to explore how digital platforms can be leveraged to scale enterprises, improve market access and drive job creation.
Speaking at the event, organisers said the initiative marks the beginning of a broader programme designed to train thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the region in digital commerce skills through both online and physical learning platforms.
According to TikTok, the partnership reflects its commitment to supporting small businesses and strengthening Africa’s growing digital economy.
“Digital commerce is reshaping how businesses grow across Sub-Saharan Africa, and Nigerian entrepreneurs are at the heart of that shift,” said Tokunbo Ibrahim, Acting Head of Government Relations and Public Policy, Sub-Saharan Africa, TikTok.
He said the initiative would ensure that small businesses benefit from emerging opportunities in social commerce and digital trade.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said digital platforms have evolved beyond entertainment and are now key drivers of economic growth and innovation.
He noted that Nigeria’s youth population and growing digital adoption position the country to benefit significantly from the expansion of online commerce and creator-led businesses.
“At NITDA, our vision is to make Nigeria a digitally enabled nation, fostering inclusive economic development through technological innovation,” he said.
The ICC Deputy Secretary General, Julian Kassum, described the programme as a strategic effort to equip small businesses with tools needed to compete in the global digital economy.
He said the Digital Commerce Labs initiative would help expand opportunities for trade, entrepreneurship and employment.
The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) also announced support for the programme through capacity-building training in financial literacy, business structuring, record keeping, taxation and legal advisory services. It said participating businesses would gain access to funding opportunities after completing the programme.
Data presented at the event showed that Nigeria’s social commerce sector is projected to reach $2.04 billion in 2025 and nearly $4 billion by 2030, while Africa’s wider market is expected to grow to $9.43 billion within the same period.
Speakers at the event noted that social media platforms have become central to business growth in Nigeria, with many SMEs relying exclusively on digital channels to reach customers and drive sales.
The programme also featured keynote presentations, business training sessions, and a creator economy spotlight where Nigerian entrepreneurs shared experiences on building brands and scaling businesses through digital platforms such as TikTok.
Organisers said the initiative is expected to strengthen digital literacy, expand market access for SMEs, and deepen Nigeria’s participation in the global digital economy.
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and TikTok have launched a strategic partnership aimed at equipping Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with digital commerce skills, tools, and opportunities to compete effectively in the digital economy.
NITDA
The partnership was unveiled at the launch of the TikTok Digital Commerce Labs Programme for SMEs, held in Lagos, where stakeholders from government, the private sector, entrepreneurship support organisations, and the digital ecosystem gathered to explore innovative pathways for empowering Nigerian businesses through technology.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, represent at the event by Dr Aristotle Onumo, Director Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, described digital commerce as one of the most powerful drivers of economic inclusion and business growth in the modern economy, noting that access to digital skills has become increasingly critical for the survival and competitiveness of businesses.
According to the NITDA boss, the future of commerce is increasingly digital, and entrepreneurs who embrace technology will be better positioned to access larger markets, increase productivity, and create sustainable wealth.
He observed that while Nigeria is blessed with millions of hardworking and innovative entrepreneurs, many small businesses still lack the digital capabilities required to fully participate in the opportunities offered by the digital economy.
“Today, a young entrepreneur with a smartphone can reach customers beyond geographical boundaries, build a brand, market products globally, and create economic opportunities that were previously unimaginable. Our responsibility is to ensure that every entrepreneur, regardless of location, has access to the digital skills and tools needed to succeed in this new economy,” he said.
A major highlight of the event was the announcement of a collaborative programme between NITDA and TikTok designed to extend digital commerce training to SMEs across the country.
As part of the initiative, TikTok has committed an initial investment of approximately US$20,000 to support a pilot Train-the-Trainer Programme, which will leverage NITDA’s Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) networks to deliver digital commerce training to entrepreneurs, particularly those in remote and underserved communities.
Inuwa commended TikTok for its commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and digital inclusion in Nigeria, describing the initiative as a practical example of how technology platforms can contribute meaningfully to economic empowerment and national development.
He noted that the collaboration aligns with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), particularly the Agency’s commitment to achieving widespread digital literacy, promoting innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, and fostering inclusive economic growth.
The DG stressed that technology should not merely be viewed as a tool for communication and entertainment but as a platform for creating opportunities, generating income, and transforming lives.
“Technology is most powerful when it empowers the least connected, creates opportunities for the underserved, and transforms potential into prosperity,” he stated.
Industry stakeholders at the event described the initiative as timely, especially at a period when businesses are increasingly leveraging digital platforms to connect with customers, expand operations, and access new markets.
The TikTok Digital Commerce Labs Programme is expected to strengthen digital capabilities among SMEs, improve access to digital opportunities, and contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy by enabling entrepreneurs to harness the power of technology for business development.
The launch reinforces NITDA’s vision to building a digitally empowered Nation fostering inclusive economic development through technological innovation where individuals, startups, and businesses can leverage technology to create value, generate employment, and contribute to national prosperity.
As Nigeria continues its journey towards becoming a leading digital economy in Africa, collaborations such as the NITDA-TikTok partnership are expected to play a significant role in empowering citizens, fostering innovation, and expanding economic opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
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