News
Google Unveils 25 African Startups Shortlisted to Receive $4M Black Founders Fund
Google for Startups (GfS) has announced the 25 African-based startups selected for this year’s $4million Black Founders Fund.
The Black Founders Fund, now in its third year, aims to help tackle systemic racial inequality in venture capital (VC) funding by providing equity-free grants and mentoring to early stage Black-led high-growth businesses across Europe and Africa.
The selected cohort of 40 startups from Europe and Africa, includes 25 African startups that embody the diverse entrepreneurial spirit across the African continent. Startups led or co-founded by women make up 72% of the group, highlighting the role women play in shaping Africa’s startup ecosystem. The funding will provide the businesses with the capital needed to take their ventures to the next level and expand to new markets, supercharging economic opportunities and job creation.
Early-stage investment is essential for the success of startups and the African startup ecosystem as a whole. This is crucial for Africa to become a global tech leader. With the significant decrease in African tech investment in 2023, startups in Africa need funds to sustain their growth and develop innovative solutions for the continent.
From accessible healthcare to efficient logistics, to innovative fintech solutions, these startups are harnessing the power of technology to address some of Africa’s most pressing challenges. HealthDart is elevating healthcare by providing comprehensive services and insurance through its digital platform. Tushop is reimagining retail with a group-buying platform in Kenya that encourages cost-saving and community engagement. Herconomy is breaking new ground in the fintech sector with its goal to become Africa’s first women-focused bank.
Each selected startup will receive up to $150,000 in non-dilutive cash awards, up to $200,000 in Google Cloud credits, Ad support, 1:1 mentoring by industry experts and invaluable connections within Google’s network.
Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startups Ecosystem, Africa at Google said “Startups play a major role in advancing Africa’s digital transformation. We look forward to working with this group of innovative founders who are using technology to solve some of the most pressing challenges in Africa. The Google for Startups Black Founders Fund is committed to addressing the stark inequality in VC funding by providing Black founders with the resources and support they need to succeed”
Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti, Founder of Herconomy, selected for the 2023 Fund comments:, “At Herconomy, we are on a mission to reimagine the financial landscape for women in Africa. Being chosen for the prestigious 2023 Black Founders Fund will fuel our revolutionary vision and accelerate our progress. With the funding and support provided by the program, we will expedite the development of our innovative solutions, enhance support for our valued customers, and expand our presence on an international scale.
Cathy Chepkemboi, Founder of Tushop, selected for the 2023 Fund comments:, “At Tushop, our passion lies in leveraging technology to empower Kenyan consumers and increase their buying power. Our ultimate ambition is to transform the way daily essentials and FMCG products are accessed, enabling individuals to save significantly. With the support of Google for Startups, we are one step closer to realising our goal of positively impacting the lives of millions of consumers in Kenya and beyond.
Njabulo Skhosana, Founder of HealthDart, selected for the 2023 fund comments, “At HealthDart, we empower patients to access affordable and timely solutions for basic health problems through our technology-driven approach. By integrating pharmacy, telemedicine, and insurance with seamless payment options, we ensure affordable access to comprehensive primary healthcare. With the support of Google for Startups, we are poised to further enhance our platform, enabling more individuals to find the most cost-effective and efficient healthcare options.
Since its inception, the Black Founders Fund has facilitated over $205 million in investor conversations, representing a 12-fold increase. This has sparked significant growth within the participating startups, with their combined monthly recurring revenue now exceeding $6.1 million, marking a 7% increase.
List of Startups
Akoma Health (Nigeria): Tech platform for accessible, culturally conscious mental health services in Africa.
BezoMoney (Ghana) : Digital banking for Africa’s underbanked via mobile/web platforms.
Chargel (Senegal): Digital trucking platform connecting shippers/carriers in Francophone West Africa.
Charis UAS (Rwanda): Provides 3D geospatial data via drone technology.
Evolve Credit (Nigeria): SaaS for digitising and managing banking services.
Excel At Uni (South Africa): Supports student funders via digital services.
EzyAgric (Uganda): AI-powered mobile technology to enhance Africa’s farming sector.
Fez Delivery (Nigeria): Last-mile logistics platform for various industries.
Fleetsimplify (Kenya): Monetization platform connecting gig drivers & vehicle owners.
HealthDart (South Africa): Digital HMO providing end-to-end health services with insurance.
Herconomy (Nigeria): Female-focused fintech aiming to be Africa’s first women’s bank.
Jumba (Kenya): Improving Kenya’s construction sector supply chain via B2B platform.
MDaaS Global (Nigeria): Tech-powered diagnostic centres for affordable healthcare.
My Pocket Counsel (Nigeria): Legal tech platform for contract generation and management.
Orda (Nigeria): Pan-African neobank for restaurants, offering cloud-based software.
Periculum (Nigeria): Data company aiding in credit assessment, fraud/churn risk.
Raenest (Nigeria): Fintech offering global financial services to freelancers/startups in Africa.
Ridelink (Uganda): E-logistics platform providing shipping and real-time tracking.
Susu (Côte d’Ivoire): Health platform providing healthcare services/insurance funded by African diaspora.
Talamus Health (Ghana): Tech solutions targeting healthcare inefficiencies in Africa.
TruQ (Nigeria): Streamlining mid-mile logistics across Africa with third-party vehicle connectivity.
Tushop (Kenya): Tech platform for group buying of daily essentials in Kenya.
Uzapoint (Kenya): Mobile/web POS for digitising bookkeeping in Africa’s informal sector.
Zinacare (South Africa): Online platform for accessible, affordable healthcare services.
Zydii (Kenya): Localised digital training solutions for African SMEs.
News
UK–Nigeria Skills and Schools Trade Mission Concludes with Strong Foundations for Education Partnership
A high-level UK delegation has concluded a week-long skills and schools trade mission to Nigeria, marking a significant step forward in education and skills cooperation between the two countries.
Running from 19-23 April 2026 across Abuja and Lagos State, the mission brought together leading UK private schools, skills providers, and education institutions with Nigerian partners, schools, and the Honourable Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa.
The mission follows the high profile and well received state visit to the UK in March, which also included education engagements. Supported by the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the mission forms part of its new International Education Strategy, under which Nigeria has been identified as one of five priority education markets, spearheaded by Professor Sir Steve Smith, who is looking forward to visiting the country again this year.
The mission focused on in-country delivery of education, the establishment of world-renowned UK schools in Nigeria, and the development of skills and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems aligned with industry demand.
In Abuja, the delegation met with Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, securing strong political backing for UK–Nigeria education partnerships and set the groundwork for ongoing institutional collaboration across both schools and skills.
In Lagos, delegates engaged further with potential partners and investors. In both cities the delegation was thrilled to visit local British curriculum schools and colleges to further enable them to experience first-hand the teaching and learning environment.
British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, said: “The UK and Nigeria share a deep and longstanding relationship, and opportunities in education are one of its most exciting frontiers.
“This mission has demonstrated the strong appetite on both sides to deepen collaboration in education and skills.”
“By bringing together UK schools and skills providers with Nigerian partners and policymakers, we are laying the foundations for even more long-term partnerships that support Nigeria’s education priorities, strengthen skills aligned to industry needs, and create opportunities for sustainable, in-country delivery as well as positioning Nigeria as the regional hub for high quality education.”
DBT Head of International Education, Sarah Chidgey, said: “This mission is a perfect example of the International Education Strategy being put into action, building on multiple two-way visits and the UK and Nigeria’s warm relationship. It has been heartening to see all the progress in UK Nigeria education collaboration since my first visit to Nigeria, as part of a wider delegation, in 2022.”
DBT’s mission concluded with a strong pipeline of follow-up activity, including targeted one-to-one meetings, MoU discussions, and agreed next steps between UK and Nigerian counterparts.
President Bola Tinubu has requested Senate approval for a $516.3 million foreign syndicated loan to fund key sections of the Sokoto-Badagry superhighway, a cornerstone of his Renewed Hope Agenda.
Tinubu
In a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Thursday’s plenary, Tinubu invoked Sections 16 and 21 of the Debt Management Office Act, 2011, to secure financing via Deutsche Bank AG for Sections 1, Phase 1A, and 1B. The 1,000-kilometre project will span Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states, linking Illela to Badagry and boosting trade, connectivity, and goods movement.
The nine-year loan, with a three-year grace period and interest at SOFR plus 5.3 per cent, includes a partial risk guarantee from the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC). The Federal Government will provide over ₦265 billion in counterpart funding for land acquisition and infrastructure.
Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts for a one-week turnaround report. He endorsed the borrowing, stating it advances road safety and national integration.
The highway aims to cut travel times and stimulate economic corridors, with the Federal Executive Council already approving the plan.
Karex, world’s largest condom maker, plans to raise prices by up to 30 percent due to supply disruptions linked to the Iran war.
This means that safe sex could get more expensive if the war continues to disrupt global supply chains, according to Goh Miah Kiat, CEO, Karex.
Kiat told old Reuters that rising freight costs and shipping delays have increased demand and forced the company to pass costs to customers.
Broader supply chain issues and higher oil prices could impact many everyday products that rely on petrochemicals.
“The situation is definitely very fragile, prices are expensive… We have no choice but to transfer the costs right now to the customers,” Goh told Reuters.
Karex joins a growing list of companies that are bracing for supply chain disruptions amid the ongoing war in Iran.
Based in Malaysia, Karex produces condoms, personal lubricants, gloves, medical catheters and probe covers.
The company manufactures male latex condoms including ONE, Trustex, Carex and Pasante, and it can produce over 5 billion condoms annually. Karex also exports to more than 130 countries, according to its website.
“We’re seeing a lot more condoms actually sitting on vessels that have not arrived at their destination but are highly required,” Goh said.
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