Google has opened applications for two annual initiatives: the sixth class of the Google for Start-ups Accelerator programme, and the Google Africa Developer Scholarship 2021, run in partnership with Pluralsight and Andela.

The announcement was made yesterday during a virtual event at which Google hosted key industry players, policy leads, start-up executives and investors driving the growth of Africa’s tech ecosystem.

The tech giant says it has re-affirmed its commitment to the start-up ecosystem in Africa and the developer community, in light of the many opportunities unfolding throughout the Internet economy.

Applications for the sixth cohort of the Google for Start-ups Accelerator − a three-month programme scheduled to start on 21 June − will be open until 14 May.

According to a statement, the aim is to support start-ups through their crucial growth phases.

The online start-up initiative, which includes three intensive virtual training boot camps, mentorship and Google product support, is open to applications from 17 countries across Africa, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

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

“Last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first virtual class of Google for Start-ups Accelerator Africa was launchedand saw 20 start-ups from seven countries undergo a 12-week virtual journey to redefine their offering while receiving mentoring and attending workshops,” says Onajite Emerhor, head of Google for Start-ups Accelerator Africa.

“This year, with the sixth cohort, we want to continue to play our part by supporting developers and start-ups within the Africa tech ecosystem, ensuring they get all the access and support necessary to see them continue to grow.”

According to the Africa Internet Economy 2020 report, sponsored by Google and International Finance Corporation, Africa’s Internet economy is poised to boost the continent’s economy by 5.25% in the next five years.

The report states the headwinds caused by COVID-19 will not deter the growth of Africa’s Internet economy, which is projected to contribute nearly $189 billion to Africa’s GDP by 2025.

A total of 45 000 scholarships will be offered to developers who are selected for the Google Africa Developer Scholarship 2021.

Applicants must be residents of any country in Africa and at least 18 years of age when they submit applications. Training takes place 100% online.

The top 1 000 developers at the end of the training will earn a full scholarship to certify on Android or cloud development.

For more information on how to registerfor the Google Africa Developer Scholarship 2021, visit the Pluralsight Web site. To apply for the Google for Start-ups Accelerator programme, visit the Google Blogspot.