Google has announced over $40 million in funding to support food security, digital education, inclusive AI tools, startup growth, and research infrastructure across the continent. The funding reinforces the tech giant’s long-term commitment to empowering African communities through innovation tailored to local needs.
A major highlight of the investment is a $25 million allocation to a new AI Collaborative for Food Security, which will support smallholder farmers in predicting hunger risks, responding to climate challenges, and improving crop yields. The program will unite researchers and nonprofit organizations to develop AI tools optimized for Africa’s diverse farming systems.
To promote digital access in local languages, Google is also contributing $3 million to the Masakhane Research Foundation, a pan-African initiative that develops AI-powered language tools in more than 40 African languages. These tools include voice assistants, translation systems, and data models to ensure more Africans can access digital services in their native tongues.
Startups are central to Google’s strategy, with the launch of a new AI funding program for over 100 early-stage African startups working on solutions in agriculture, healthcare, and education. Beneficiaries will receive funding, mentorship, and access to Google’s technical resources to scale responsibly and sustainably.
In terms of physical infrastructure, Google is opening its first AI Community Centre in Africa, located in Accra, Ghana. The centre will provide free training, community-led workshops, and collaborative projects to foster AI literacy and innovation among students, developers, and creatives.
To further drive talent development, 100,000 scholarships will be offered in Ghana through the Google Career Certificate program, with courses in AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, and IT support. An additional $7 million will fund AI education in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana, supporting schools, nonprofit organizations, and digital safety initiatives.
On the academic front, two African universities will each receive $1 million grants to deepen AI research and build advanced training programmes. The African Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AfriDSAI) at the University of Pretoria and the Wits MIND Institute in South Africa will use the funds to train MSc and PhD students in AI-related disciplines.
James Manyika, Google’s Senior Vice President, said:
“Africa is home to some of the most important and inspiring work in AI today. We are committed to supporting the next wave of innovation through long-term investment, local partnerships, and platforms that help researchers and entrepreneurs build solutions that matter.”
Yossi Matias, Vice President of Engineering and Research at Google, added:
“This new wave of support reflects our belief in the talent, creativity, and ingenuity across the continent. By building with local communities and institutions, we’re supporting solutions that are rooted in Africa’s realities and built for global impact.”
This announcement builds on Google’s existing efforts in Africa, including AI-powered maternal health tools in Nigeria and Ghana, wildfire alerts in East Africa, and local language model development hubs in Nairobi and Accra.
As Africa emerges as a global AI hub, with over 2,400 AI-focused startups and more than 20 national AI strategies either launched or in progress, Google’s latest investment marks a major step forward in harnessing technology to drive inclusive, sustainable development across the continent.
