Women participation in technology and entrepreneurship is relatively low compared to their male counterparts in most African countries. Hence, to mark the 2023 International Women’s Day, Google supports the African women’s community to boost women’s participation and bring equity.
Google introduces three new initiatives, which include;Google for startups Accelerator Africa, Women Founders Cohort, and the Hustle Academy for Small and Medium Women entrepreneurs; to empower women entrepreneurs and make the necessary resources accessible.
The tech giant aims to alleviate the challenges (inadequate funding, lack of ICT skills) faced by most women in tech and entrepreneurship and also leverage on the initiative to celebrate the success of women in African technology through its social media series.
The #WomaninIT social media series would feature the inspiring achievements of six women in the area of business, entrepreneurship, innovation, startups and technology, as well as encourage women participation in technology and entrepreneurship.
Women–led SMEs in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa are eligible to apply at g.co/hustleacademy; applications run throughout March 2023.
Google Hustle academy trains entrepreneurs to become better investors, achieve increased revenue, and build a sustainable business structure in the African market.
Head of Google in Africa, Dorothy Ooko, stated Google’s dedication towards assisting female entrepreneurs in Africa, adding that the initiative drives to provide access to funding, mentorship and networking opportunities.
This initiative seeks to equip women through technical skills acquisition in business workshops, training mentorship and networking opportunities. The 15 Google startups accelerator Africa covers eight African countries, as shown in the table;
Startup | Aim | Location |
| Suitch | Provides financial services to non-bank users | Cameroon |
| Afriwell Health | To connect patients in the country to healthcare professionally globally efficiently. | Congo |
| Kola Market | Provides financial and trading services | Ghana |
| Alajo App | To extend FinTech services to non-smartphone users via USSD code | Nigeria |
| Tyms Africa | Provides quick microcredit for small businesses | Nigeria |
| Maxibuy | To help achieve business enlargement by supplying financial services for bulk purchases | Nigeria |
Mosmos | To provide save-to-buy services | Kenya |
| Farmer lifeline | A pest and disease detection device to keep farmers abreast with pest and disease infestation, so as to enhance farm productivity | Kenya |
| Zydii | Digital training institution offering digital solutions | Kenya |
| eWaka | To provide on-demand mobility for local goods and services | Kenya |
Gobebal | To provide distribution of essentials through its digital retail platform | Kenya |
| Hepto Pay | Offering payment services | Rwanda |
| Smart Ikigega | To provide financial services to farmers, and to help enhance productivity by eliminating post-harvest losses | Rwanda |
| Jem HR | A plugin HR software for effective human management | South Africa |
Mipango | A robotic advisory app for marketing and finance | Tanzania |
While the effective implementation of the startup programmes offers quality services delivery, how would it reach the petty businesses on the streets of Africa? What would be the adoption rate in Africa?
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Photo By Evecalls
