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  • Google products contributed $1.8bn to Nigerian economy in 2023 – Report

    Google products contributed $1.8bn to Nigerian economy in 2023 – Report

    A new report released on Thursday, October 3, conducted independently by Public First, has revealed that tech giant, google contributed an estimated $1.8bn to Nigeria’s economy in 2023.

    The Digital Opportunity of Nigeria according to the report outlines how Google’s products and infrastructure are driving digital transformation and contributing to economic growth across the country.

    With Nigeria experiencing rapid digital development, the report highlights the potential for further growth.

    According to the study, every $1 invested in digital technology in Nigeria generates over $8 in economic value. This emphasises the critical role of digital technology, including connectivity, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI), in shaping Nigeria’s economic future.

    Olumide Balogun, Director, West Africa at Google, said: “We’re thrilled to see the positive impact that digital technology is having on Nigeria’s economy. This report underscores the importance of continued investment in digital skills and infrastructure to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s vibrant digital economy.”

    Nigeria Digital Opportunities – INFOGRAPHIC

    Amy Price, Director and Head of Technology Policy at Public First said: “Nigeria is a digital front-runner in Africa, and tech investment will be a powerful catalyst for further growth and development across the country. This is particularly true when it comes to connectivity, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence.”

    Read Also: NCAIR launches ₦100m AI fund supported by Google to empower local startups

    Key findings from the Report noted that; Every $1 invested in digital technology in Nigeria contributes $8 to the country’s economy, illustrating the high return on investment in the sector; In 2023, Google’s products and services—including Search, Ads, YouTube, and Cloud—contributed an estimated $1.8 billion in economic activity across Nigeria.

    This has significantly boosted the productivity of Nigerian businesses, creators, and workers; Google’s digital skills programs, including Digital Skills for Africa and the Career Certificates Program, have helped millions of Nigerians, with over 1.5 million young adults learning new digital skills in 2023 alone; The report estimates that AI could increase Nigeria’s economy by an additional $15 billion by 2030, with Google’s commitment to responsible AI development set to play a pivotal role.

    In 2021, the tech giant committed $1 billion to accelerate Africa’s digital economy, focusing on improving internet access, supporting local entrepreneurs, and fostering innovation. The Nigeria Digital Opportunity report illustrates how these investments are already creating lasting impacts in the country.

    The report also provides strategic recommendations for policymakers, advocating for increased cloud-first policies and enhanced digital infrastructure to maximise AI’s potential in Nigeria. Additionally, it highlights the need for stronger STEM education and AI fluency to prepare Nigeria’s workforce for the future.

  • Fed Govt, Google collaborate on digitising research, development

    Fed Govt, Google collaborate on digitising research, development

    Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has met with Google to modernise Nigeria’s research and development (R&D) infrastructure and stimulate economic growth.

    Uche; Karan Bhatia; vice-president of Government Affairs (Global), and Charles Murito, head of Africa Government Affairs have agreed to digitise Nigeria’s R&D data by creating a central platform to facilitate knowledge sharing among researchers and improve access to data.

    This is to boost transparency and efficiency in how research is conducted and utilised.

    The partnership will leverage Google’s advanced Artificial Intelligence capabilities to develop AI-driven tools to enhance R&D efforts in Nigeria. By analysing digitised data, these tools will identify trends, predict developments and generate innovative solutions to pressing challenges.

    Read Also: Fed govt hands over 64 CNG-powered buses to Labour, students

    Such capabilities are anticipated to elevate Nigeria’s position in global knowledge economy, making its research output relevant and impactful.

    Moreover, the partnership will bridge the gap between academia and private sector. Google’s involvement will facilitate creation of platforms to connect R&D institutions with businesses, fostering collaboration between academic researchers, start-ups, and enterprises. This synergy will accelerate commercialisation of innovations to strengthen our innovation ecosystem.

    “This is a step in Nigeria’s journey to becoming a global leader in innovation and technology,” said Nnaji.

    “By harnessing the expertise of Google, we are positioning our researchers and SMEs to thrive in a digital world.”

  • NCAIR launches ₦100m AI fund supported by Google to empower local startups

    NCAIR launches ₦100m AI fund supported by Google to empower local startups

    The National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), with support from Google, on Tuesday, September 10, announced the launch of the AI Fund, a ₦100 million initiative aimed at supporting Nigerian startups that are leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to develop innovative solutions.

    This initiative follows a series of strategic programs by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, aimed at harnessing the potential of AI to drive development, innovation, and well-being in Nigeria.

    Earlier this year, the Ministry held the Artificial Intelligence Strategy Workshop in April, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss the future of AI in Nigeria.

    This was followed by the release of the National AI Intelligence Strategy in August, which outlined the country’s roadmap for integrating AI into various sectors to enhance growth and societal well-being. The AI Fund is a significant step in actualizing these plans, providing Nigerian startups with the necessary resources to innovate and scale their AI solutions.

    The AI Fund is open to Nigerian-based startups that are focused on AI-driven technology solutions with the potential for significant impact. Selected startups will receive up to ₦10 million in funding, along with access to Google’s extensive resources, including AI tools, mentorship, and a global network designed to help them scale their innovations.

    Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “The AI Fund is a critical step in nurturing homegrown innovation that addresses local challenges and contributes to economic growth. By supporting our startups, we are not only investing in their success but also the future of Nigeria’s digital economy.”

    Dr. Bunmi Ajala, National Coordinator of NCAIR, highlighted the collaborative effort: “Our partnership with Google is a reflection of our shared vision for Nigeria’s technological advancement. The AI Fund is designed to empower our entrepreneurs with the resources they need to create impactful AI solutions. We are excited to see the transformative innovations that will emerge from this program.”

    Read Also: Google announces custom gems, imagen 3 model upgrades in Gemini

    Olumide Balogun, West Africa Director, Google, reiterated Google’s commitment: “Google’s support for the AI Fund is part of our broader mission to enhance digital capabilities across Africa. We are committed to providing Nigerian startups with the tools, mentorship, and resources they need to innovate and succeed on a global stage.”

    Google’s involvement in the AI Fund aligns with its broader AI commitments across Africa. Recently, Google announced a new cohort for its Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program, focusing on building Africa-centric products and services using AI in transformative ways.

    The cohort includes five Nigerian startups, further demonstrating Google’s dedication to nurturing AI innovation on the continent.

    You can apply if you are headquartered in Nigeria, have at least one Nigerian founder, focus on building AI-driven solutions with the potential to scale beyond the local market and have a live product in the market, demonstrating early traction and product-market fit.

    Benefits of the AI Fund: Selected startups will receive funding up to ₦10 million to accelerate their growth, will have access to Google’s AI tools and mentorship from Google engineers, global network opportunities for international exposure and connections to Google’s vast network.

    Application opens on September 10, 2024, while Application closes on September 25, 2024. Apply here: https://ncair.nitda.gov.ng/aifund/

    The selection process will be rigorous, with a focus on identifying startups that not only have innovative AI solutions but also the potential for significant impact and scalability. Successful applicants will be announced in October 2024, with the program officially kicking off shortly thereafter.

    The 100M Naira AI Fund provides an opportunity for the Nigerian startup ecosystem. For ambitious startups in the AI space, this fund represents a unique opportunity to gain access to world-class resources, mentorship, and networks that can accelerate their growth and amplify their impact.

    By backing the brightest AI-driven ideas, NCAIR and Google are helping to cultivate a new wave of innovation that will not only solve critical challenges but also propel these startups to new heights within the global tech arena.

  • Google announces custom gems, imagen 3 model upgrades in Gemini

    Google announces custom gems, imagen 3 model upgrades in Gemini

    Google has announced significant updates to its Gemini AI platform, introducing “Gems,” personalized AI assistants, and Imagen 3, an improved image generation model.

    These enhancements represent Google’s latest effort to compete in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence market.

    According to a statement by Dave Citron, Senior Director, Product Management, Gemini Experiences, Gemini Advanced, Business and Enterprise subscribers can start creating and chatting with Gems.

    He said: “We’re rolling out new features that we previewed at Google I/O. Gems, a new feature that lets you customize Gemini to create your own personal AI experts on any topic you want, are now available for Gemini Advanced, Business and Enterprise users. And our new image generation model, Imagen 3, is now available across Gemini, Gemini Advanced, Business and Enterprise.

    “Over the coming days, Gemini Advanced, Business and Enterprise subscribers can start creating and chatting with Gems, the custom versions of Gemini first previewed at I/O. You can customize Gems to act as an expert on topics or refine them toward your specific goals. Simply write instructions for your Gem, give it a name, and then chat with it whenever you want.

    “With Gems, you can create a team of experts to help you think through a challenging project, brainstorm ideas for an upcoming event, or write the perfect caption for a social media post. Your Gem can also remember a detailed set of instructions to help you save time on tedious, repetitive or difficult tasks.”

    Premade Gems are available to help with tasks such as: Learning Coach: Simplifies complex topics for easier understanding; Brainstormer: Provides inspiration for events and gifts; Career Guide: Assists in career planning and skill refinement; Writing Editor: Offers feedback on writing, including grammar and structure; Coding Partner: Supports coding skills and project development.

    Gems are accessible on both desktop and mobile devices across over 150 countries and in most languages.

    Gemini also unveiled its advanced Imagen 3 model, which will soon be available to all users.

    Imagen 3 improves upon previous image generation models by creating high-quality images from brief textual prompts.

    It supports various styles, including photorealistic landscapes and whimsical animations.

    He said: “We’ve upgraded our creative image generation capabilities, and over the coming days, we’re bringing our latest image generation model, Imagen 3 to Gemini Apps and expanding its availability for users in all languages.

    Read Also: Search interest in “AI” increased by 130% in Nigeria – Google

    “Imagen 3 sets a new standard for image quality, generating images with just a few words. You can even ask Gemini to create images in various styles — like photorealistic landscapes, textured oil paintings or whimsical claymation scenes.

    “Imagen 3 brings advanced image generation capabilities that come with built-in safeguards and adhere to our product design principles. Across a wide range of benchmarks, Imagen 3 performs favorably compared to other image generation models available. And as with Imagen 2, we use SynthID, our tool for watermarking AI-generated images.

    “Our design principles are clear: From start to finish, you remain in control of the creative process. If the initial image you get doesn’t meet your expectations, simply tell Gemini what you’d like to change and it’ll give you a new image.

    “Over the coming days, we’ll also start to roll out the generation of images of people, with an early access version for our Gemini Advanced, Business, and Enterprise users, starting in English. We’ve worked to make technical improvements to the product, as well as improved evaluation sets, red-teaming exercises and clear product principles.

    “With Imagen 3, we’ve made significant progress in providing a better user experience when generating images of people. We don’t support the generation of photorealistic, identifiable individuals, depictions of minors or excessively gory, violent or sexual scenes. 

    “Of course, not every image Gemini creates will be perfect, but we’ll continue to listen to feedback from early access Gemini Advanced users as we keep improving. We’ll gradually roll this out, aiming to bring it to more users and languages soon.

    “To be among the first to experience these new features, try Gemini Advanced today or sign up for Gemini for Workspace,” he said.

  • Search interest in “AI” increased by 130% in Nigeria – Google

    Search interest in “AI” increased by 130% in Nigeria – Google

    A new search trends released by Google on Wednesday, August 21, show that people in Nigeria continue to search for AI more than ever before.

    According to the Tech Giant, search interest in “AI” reached a record high around the world and in Nigeria, where searches have more than doubled (+130%) since the same period last year.

    Searches in Nigeria for “what is AI” also increased by 30%, while searches for “how to use AI” increased by 40%. Nigeria has the sixth-highest search interest in AI in Africa – and ranks 25th in the world.

    Olumide Balogun, West Africa Director at Google said: “AI has the potential to create opportunities – from the extraordinary to the every day – for everyone: bringing new waves of innovation, social and economic progress. So it’s no surprise that the people of Nigeria are already looking to make the most of this transformational technology – finding ways for it to boost their career, creativity, and society.”

    Read Also: Google announces 110 new languages translate

    Many Nigerians are looking to use AI to build their careers and creativity – with trending searches including “create a logo with AI”, “create CV with AI”, “design website with AI”, “design a flyer with AI” and “create slides with AI” – all of which were ‘breakout’ searches in 2024, growing over 5,000% in interest since this time last year.

    Some Nigerians are also interested in learning more about AI and how best to use it.

    Searches for “AI and courses” have increased by 50% – while top questions include “is AI hard to learn”, “How to learn AI” and “How to access and learn about AI”. Search interest in AI and business more than doubled (+110%), while searches for AI and jobs more than septupled (+640%).

    Aligned with its commitment to AI as a force for positive societal change, Google offers free AI training programs to Africans through its Hustle Academy.

    This initiative, designed for entrepreneurs, includes modules specifically tailored to teach participants how to leverage AI to improve their businesses. Since its launch in 2022, Hustle Academy has empowered over 10,000 businesses.

    Additionally, Google supports promising AI-focused startups in Africa through its Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program. This program, which assists startups in tackling African challenges, selected 10 AI-driven ventures for its 2024 cohort.

    Search interest in cybersecurity and AI also nearly doubled across Nigeria (+80%), while people showed a clear interest in the future of AI for science. Searches for AI and healthcare more than doubled (+140%), while searches for AI and medicine increased by 50% and searches for AI and STEM and AI and hospitals both increased by 60%.

  • Google announces 110 new languages translate

    Google announces 110 new languages translate

    Google has announced a major expansion of Google Translate, adding 110 new languages to the platform.

    This update is part of Google’s 1,000 Languages Initiative, which uses AI models to support the 1,000 most spoken languages around the world and represents a significant step towards breaking down language barriers and fostering communication across diverse cultures.

    The new inclusions include eight languages from across Africa, which now join Nigerian languages Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Fulani, Kanuri, and Tiv, which were already supported by Google Translate.

    Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communications and Public Affairs Manager for West Africa at Google, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “Our mission is to enable everyone, everywhere, to understand the world and express themselves across languages. With the addition of these 110 new languages, including many from Africa, we’re opening up new opportunities for over half a billion people to connect and communicate.

    “Africa, with its rich linguistic diversity, is a key focus of this expansion. The addition of numerous African languages underscores Google’s commitment to supporting underrepresented languages and amplifying voices from across the continent.”

    Kola-Ogunlade further explained the complexities involved in language selection: “A lot of consideration goes into new language additions for Google Translate, ranging from which languages to include to the use of specific spellings. Many languages do not have a single, standard form, so learning the specific dialect that is spoken the most in an area is more feasible. Our approach has been to prioritise the most commonly used varieties of each language.”

    The latest expansion utilises the PaLM 2 large language model, following the addition of 24 languages in 2022 using Zero-Shot Machine Translation. This technology enables Translate to more efficiently learn languages that are closely related to one another or have various distinct dialects. Google collaborated extensively with native speakers to ensure accuracy and prioritise the most commonly used varieties of each language.

    The 110 new languages represent over 614 million speakers worldwide, covering around 8% of the world’s population. This includes major world languages with over 100 million speakers, languages spoken by small Indigenous communities, and languages undergoing revitalization efforts.

    Key African Languages Now Supported by Google Translate: Middle Africa: Kikongo, Eastern Africa: Luo, Swati, Venda, Western Africa: Fon, Wolof, Southern Africa: Swati, Ndebele.

    Notably, this update marks Google’s largest expansion of African languages to date, including:

    Afar is a tonal language spoken in Djibouti, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. Of all the languages in this launch, Afar had the most volunteer community contributions.

    Cantonese is one of the most requested languages for Google Translate. Because Cantonese often overlaps with Mandarin in writing, it’s tricky to find data and train models.

    Manx is the Celtic language of the Isle of Man. It almost went extinct with the death of its last native speaker in 1974. But thanks to an island-wide revival movement, there are now thousands of speakers.

    NKo is a standardised form of the West African Manding languages that unifies many dialects into a common language. Its unique alphabet was invented in 1949, and it has an active research community that develops resources and technology for it today.

    Read Also: Google upgrades research tool with AI-powered features

    Punjabi (Shahmukhi) is the variety of Punjabi written in Perso-Arabic script (Shahmukhi) and is the most spoken language in Pakistan.

    Tamazight (Amazigh) is a Berber language spoken across North Africa. Although there are many dialects, the written form is generally mutually understandable. It’s written in Latin script and Tifinagh script, both of which Google Translate supports.

    Tok Pisin is an English-based creole and the lingua franca of Papua New Guinea. If you speak English, try translating into Tok Pisin — you might be able to make out the meaning!

    To learn more about Google’s latest expansion of Translate, visit the Help Center. You can also get started translating at translate.google.com or on the Google Translate app on Android and iOS.

  • Google, Creative Industries Initiative for Africa launch second cohort

    Google, Creative Industries Initiative for Africa launch second cohort

    The Creative Industries Initiative for Africa (C.I.I.F.A.), in collaboration with Google, has launched the second cohort of the Engage Nigeria programme, a transformative initiative aimed at equipping 8,000 youth with creative industry skills.

    Engage Nigeria is part of the Skill Sprint initiative launched in 2023 to equip 20,000 Nigerian women and youth with vital digital skills.

    Building on the success of its inaugural cohort, which saw over 2,200 participants receive valuable training and mentorship, Engage Nigeria continues to provide comprehensive training in music business and production, event planning and management, cinematography and videography, animation, graphic design, and content creation.

    The holistic approach ensures participants are well-prepared to navigate and thrive in the competitive creative industry.

    Read Also: List of Nigerian artists dominating Spotify streaming charts

    Godwin Tom, founder of C.I.I.F.A., said, “Our mission at C.I.I.F.A is to empower the next generation of creative professionals in Africa. Partnering with GOYF Community Digitech Hub allows us to reach more young talents in Eti-Osa 02, providing them with the tools and knowledge to succeed in the creative economy. We are grateful for the support from Google.org in making this possible.”

    Olumide Falegan, Manager, EMEA Music & Culture at Google SSA, highlighted the significant potential he sees in Nigeria’s youth, saying, “Digital technologies are not just tools, they are catalysts for endless possibilities. Through these platforms, our young talent can emerge as key contributors to the digital economy.”

  • Google, CIIFA launch second cohort of Engage Nigeria Programme

    Google, CIIFA launch second cohort of Engage Nigeria Programme

    The Creative Industries Initiative for Africa (C.I.I.F.A.), in collaboration with Google, has launched the second cohort of the Engage Nigeria programme, a transformative initiative aimed at equipping 8,000 youth with creative industry skills.

    Engage Nigeria is part of the Skill Sprint initiative launched in 2023 to equip 20,000 Nigerian women and youth with vital digital skills. This national programme continues to support the country’s burgeoning creative economy with expanded reach and new partnerships. This cohort will benefit 6,000 creatives from across Nigeria.

    Building on the success of its inaugural cohort, which saw over 2,200 participants receive valuable training and mentorship, Engage Nigeria continues to provide comprehensive training in music business and production, event planning and management, cinematography and videography, animation, graphic design, and content creation.

    This holistic approach ensures participants are well-prepared to navigate and thrive in the competitive creative industry. The programme also includes mentorship from seasoned professionals and networking opportunities with industry leaders, enhancing their learning experience and career prospects.

    Nigeria’s creative landscape is a dynamic and growing sector, contributing significantly to the economy. From Nollywood’s global influence to the rise of Afrobeats, Nigerian creatives are making their mark worldwide. The Engage Nigeria programme taps into this potential, providing participants with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in various creative disciplines.

    Read Also: Google upgrades research tool with AI-powered features

    A notable expansion in this cohort is the partnership with the GOYF Community Digitech Hub, bringing the initiative to the vibrant Eti-Osa 02 community in Lagos. Hon. Gbolahan Olusegun Yishawu, an esteemed member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Eti-Osa Constituency 02 and a key supporter of the programme, stated: “We are delighted to collaborate with C.I.I.F.A to bring the Engage Nigeria programme to our constituency. This partnership will unlock opportunities for our youth and provide them with critical skills indispensable to excel in the creative industry. It is a monumental stride towards fostering economic growth and innovation in Eti-Osa constituency 02 specifically and Lagos State at large.”

    Godwin Tom, Founder of C.I.I.F.A., added, “Our mission at C.I.I.F.A is to empower the next generation of creative professionals in Africa. Partnering with GOYF Community Digitech Hub allows us to reach more young talents in Eti-Osa 02, providing them with the tools and knowledge to succeed in the creative economy. We are grateful for the support from Google.org in making this possible.”

    Olumide Falegan, Manager, EMEA Music & Culture at Google SSA, highlighted the significant potential he sees in Nigeria’s youth, stating, “Digital technologies are not just tools, they are catalysts for endless possibilities. Through these platforms, our young talent can emerge as key contributors to the digital economy.”

  • Google upgrades research tool with AI-powered features

    Google upgrades research tool with AI-powered features

    Google has announced a worldwide upgrade of its note-taking research assistant, NotebookLM with AI-powered features and expansion to over 200 new countries.

    The platform which was initially launched in June 2023, in close partnership with authors, students and educators, now uses Google’s multimodal LLM Gemini 1.5 Pro, Google’s most capable model which helps users do their best thinking by giving them a personalised AI, grounded in trusted information.

    According to Google, when users upload source documents that are central to their projects, NotebookLM instantly becomes an expert in the information that matters most to them by generating summaries and answer questions from uploaded documents.

    A statement from the tech giant said: “Our goal from the beginning with NotebookLM has been to create a tool to help you understand and explore complex material, make new connections from information, and get to your first draft faster.

    “You can upload sources — your research notes, interview transcripts, corporate documents — and instantly NotebookLM becomes an expert in the material that matters most to you.”

    Read Also: Google’s Hustle Academy re-launches with AI focus to empower African SMBs

    Speaking on the case studies from real users, it said: “We’ve been amazed by the range of uses that people are finding for NotebookLM. Because the product was developed in close partnership with authors, students and educators, we’ve seen many early adopters integrate it into research and writing workflows.

    “Best-selling author Walter Isaacson has been working with NotebookLM to analyze Marie Curie’s journals for research on his next book. We’ve seen similar enthusiasm from documentary and podcast researchers who need to sift through complex archives to generate scripts or story ideas. But the combination of Gemini 1.5 Pro’s advanced reasoning abilities and NotebookLM’s source-grounding architecture has unlocked many other potential applications:

    “In local governance, Palm Bay resident Thomas Gaume created a hyperlocal newsletter, aggregating city ordinances, land use data, zoning codes and council meeting minutes. NotebookLM empowered him to be a “one-person newsroom and publisher.”

    “NotebookLM’s ability to summarize and adapt interview transcripts is helping users identify patterns and themes in raw transcripts, saving hours of manual analysis. For example, consultant Victor Adefuye uses NotebookLM to analyze sales call transcripts for targeted training and coaching.

    “Nonprofits have deployed NotebookLM to help them identify needs in underserved communities and organize information for grant proposals.

    “We’ve also noticed some unexpected and playful use cases with the help of our 14,000-member Discord community, including novelists and fan-fiction authors managing complex storylines using NotebookLM, and our favorite: role-playing game enthusiasts consulting detailed descriptions of fantasy worlds for games like Dungeons and Dragons.

    According to the statement, the upgrade introduces several new features: which includes – NotebookLM which now supports Google Slides and web URLs as sources, along with Google Docs, PDFs and text files – Inline citations which now take you directly to supporting passages in your sources, so you can easily fact-check the AI response or dive deeper in the original text – and the Notebook guide which gives you a high-level understanding of your sources by converting them into useful formats like FAQs, Briefing Docs or Study Guides.

    With Gemini 1.5 Pro’s native multimodal capabilities, you can now ask questions about images, charts and diagrams in your sources. NotebookLM will even include citations to images as supporting evidence when relevant.

  • Nigeria’s Healthtracka, 23 others selected for Google’s ‘AI for Health program’

    Nigeria’s Healthtracka, 23 others selected for Google’s ‘AI for Health program’

    Google for Startups has announced 24 startups selected for the 2024 cohort of the Growth Academy: AI for Health programme.

    The programme is designed to support high-potential startups across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) that are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionise healthcare and medical research.

    Among the selected startups are Nigeria’s Healthtracka, Kenya’s Thalia Psychotherapy and TibuHealth, and South Africa’s Zoie Health. These companies exemplify the potential of AI to address pressing healthcare challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, advancing mental health integration, providing accessible outpatient services, and delivering affordable healthcare to underserved populations.

    According to the World Health Organization, more than 116 million people across Africa were already estimated to be living with mental health conditions pre-pandemic and as things stand, there are fewer than two mental health workers for every 100,000 people.

    Thalia Psychotherapy’s AI-powered chatbot provides initial assessments and therapy sessions, increasing access to mental health support in a region with a critical shortage of mental health professionals. TibuHealth, on the other hand, delivers affordable outpatient services via “minute clinics” in partner pharmacies in high-density neighbourhoods.

    Dorothy Ooko, Head of Communications and Public Affairs, Google, Africa, said: “We are committed to supporting the growth of innovative startups, particularly those that are leveraging AI to address critical healthcare challenges. The Growth Academy: AI for Health program is a testament to this commitment, and we are excited to see the impact these startups will have on the future of healthcare.”

    The three-month program will provide participants with intensive training, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Startups will benefit from workshops on best practices for AI, leadership development, responsible innovation, product design, and customer acquisition. Additionally, Google experts from Research, Health, Verily, Fitbit, and DeepMind will offer one-on-one mentorship sessions and technical project support.

    Below are the participating startups, representing 13 countries from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and how they’re using AI models and technology to improve patient care and advance medical research:

    1. Aide (United Kingdom) is a digital service that helps patients and clinicians better understand and manage chronic disease, specifically comorbidity.

    2. AmplifAI (Saudi Arabia) combines AI-driven thermography and computer vision to create a standardised and objective assessment for diabetic foot ulcers.

    3. Biorce (Portugal) is developing solutions to enhance clinical trials through the power of AI, having created Jarvis, a clinical AI assistant.

    4. C the Signs (United Kingdom) is an AI cancer prediction platform that helps identify patients at risk of cancer at its earliest and most curable stages.

    Read Also: Google’s Hustle Academy re-launches with AI focus to empower African SMBs

    5. Callyope (France) develops speech-based remote patient monitoring solutions that help caretakers assess treatment efficacy and detect relapses in serious mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

    6. Clear.bio (Netherlands) works to reverse diabetes type 2 by precision nutrition, providing best-in-class digital therapeutic based on real-time glucometry.

    7. Ephion Health (Spain) develops digital biomarkers to ensure accurate disease monitoring and therapy assessment, through wearables data, clinical reports and AI for precise patient assessment.

    8. Exakt Health (Germany) is a certified medical app for physiotherapy and evidence-based training with hyper-personalised treatment plans.

    9. FiveLives (France) is a digital brain health platform for people aged 50+ to take control of their cognitive health, through combining clinically-validated brain health assessment and an engaging coaching program.

    10. Healthtracka (Nigeria) is decentralising access to healthcare in Africa through remote medical diagnostics, connecting users with a seamless way to access at-home lab tests and receive clear results and doctors’ consultations.

    11. HearMe (Poland) supports employees’ mental health through anonymous and secure 1:1 sessions with mental health professionals.

    12. Juniver (United Kingdom) delivers on-demand help for eating disorders, with AI-powered interventions for urges, evidence-based education, personalised tools, peer support and telemedicine.

    13. Mindgram (Poland) is a platform offering a holistic solution providing employees and their relatives with psychological and self-development support around the clock.

    14. Motherbeing (Egypt) is a digital solution dedicated to Arab women’s sexual and reproductive health. The platform connects users with doctors, experts, personalised health education and an AI-powered health assistant.

    15. Noah Labs (Germany) develops a voice-based machine learning software for the early detection of decompensated heart failure.

    16. Nui (Germany) is an app providing family caregivers with support through an intelligent chatbot that provides guidance to find answers to the most pressing questions.

    17. O7 Therapy (Egypt) bridges the treatment gap with cutting-edge tech and top-tier mental health professionals. The O7 Therapy app offers instant, anonymous support via encrypted Chat, Audio and Video Sessions.

    18. Powerful Medical (Slovakia) revolutionises cardiovascular diagnostics with its AI-driven platform, enabling healthcare professionals across the EU and beyond to diagnose and manage 39 cardiovascular conditions.

    19. Research Grid (United Kingdom) is an automation engine enabling faster, more successful clinical trials by engineering smart software that safely automates back office admin across the full lifecycle.

    20. Rofim (France) specialises in developing telemedicine software. The Rofim platform is a telemedicine platform designed to connect patients with healthcare professionals, enable diagnosis and improve access to care.

    21. SYCAI Medical (Spain) develops medical device software to prevent the appearance of cancer in the abdomen non-invasively.

    22. Thalia Psychotherapy (Kenya) is a mental health startup focused on integrating mental health services into primary healthcare systems.

    23. TibuHealth (Kenya) delivers affordable outpatient services via “minute clinics” in partner pharmacies in high-density neighbourhoods.

    24. Zoie Health (South Africa) is a digital health platform focused on providing underserved, high-need populations with affordable, accessible healthcare.