Google gives African start-ups a training boost

GOOGLE yesterday announced that applications were open for the sixth class of the Google for Start-ups accelerator programme, and the launch of 40 000 developer scholarships in partnership with Pluralsight and Andela.

The managing director of Google Sub-Saharan Africa, Nitin Gajria, said Africa had exceptional digital potential, and therefore Google was committed to providing critical support for African start-ups.

For Google’s new developer scholarships, Android, Web and Google Cloud scholarships were being offered to beginner and intermediate developers resident in Africa.

A total of 40 000 scholarships would be offered to developers, spread across Mobile and Cloud development tracks. The top 1 000 students at the end of the training would earn a full scholarship to certify on Android or Cloud development.

Applications for Google’s threemonth accelerator programme, which was due to start on June 21, were open until May 14.

The online programme, which includes three intensive virtual training bootcamps, mentorship and Google product support, was open to applicants from 17 countries in Africa.

According to the Africa Internet Economy 2020 Report, sponsored by Google and the International Finance Corporation, Africa’s internet economy was poised to boost the continent’s economy by 5.25 percent in the next five years.

The report said the headwinds caused by the Covid-19 pandemic would not deter the growth of Africa’s internet economy, which was projected to contribute nearly $189 billion (R2.7 trillion) to Africa’s gross domestic product by 2025, increasing to $712bn by 2050.