Google Play has launched its first African Indie Games Fund, committing US$1 million to support independent game studios across 32 African countries with funding and technical support to help them grow and reach global audiences.
According to Google, the fund will provide equity-free funding, technical support and expert mentorship to selected developers.
The initiative is intended to address one of the biggest challenges facing African game studios: limited access to funding needed to develop and commercialise new games.
Selected studios will receive between US$50 000 and US$200 000 from the fund, said Ben McOwen Wilson, managing director for Google Play in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The fund is open to applicants from Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Google said successful applicants will also receive mentorship from industry experts and technical support to help refine their games and improve their visibility in the market.
"Africa's unique creativity has fuelled a vibrant game development scene," said McOwen Wilson.
"Bringing this fund to the continent underscores our commitment to unlocking the immense talent of local studios, providing the resources needed to scale businesses, refine creative visions, and share uniquely African stories with a global audience."
Applications close on 31 July 2026. Eligible studios can apply through Google's Indie Games Fund application portal
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