Google Play has launched its first Indie Games Fund for Africa, committing one million dollars in equity-free funding to support independent game developers across 32 African countries, including Nigeria.
The technology company said the initiative was designed to provide emerging game studios with financial support, technical expertise and mentorship to help them scale their businesses and reach global audiences.
According to Google Play, selected studios will receive grants ranging from 50,000 dollars to 200,000 dollars, alongside expert guidance and technical assistance to optimise their games and improve market visibility.
The company said the fund seeks to address one of the major challenges facing Africa's gaming industry—limited access to capital—despite the continent's growing pool of creative talent and rich storytelling culture.
Speaking on the initiative, the Managing Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Google Play, Ben McOwen Wilson, said the programme reflected the company's commitment to strengthening Africa's gaming ecosystem.
"Africa's unique creativity has fuelled a vibrant game development scene.
"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," he said.
Google said applications were now open to independent game studios registered and operating in any of the 32 eligible African countries.
To qualify, applicants must be privately owned and non-publicly listed studios with no more than 50 employees.
The company added that applicants must have previously launched a mobile, PC or console game and be willing to publish their game on Google Play as well as participate, on a non-exclusive basis, in the Google Play Pass subscription programme for two years if selected.
According to Google, applications will close on July 31, while the 10 successful studios will be announced in September.
Eligible countries include Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, The 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 the initiative formed part of its broader efforts to strengthen Africa's digital economy by supporting innovative developers with the resources required to build globally competitive products and showcase African stories through gaming.
