Ten African artificial intelligence startups are set to receive funding and business development support under a new accelerator programme backed by Askya Investment Partners and Magna Collective.
The six-week Askya AI Growth Platform will make US$200,000 available to selected startups, including Ghanaian firms, as part of efforts to help African technology companies overcome barriers to scaling across the continent.
Unlike many venture capital programmes, participation in the initiative will not require founders to surrender equity in their businesses.
Askya Investment Partners said the programme would combine funding with practical support in product development, technology, business strategy and distribution. Participants will also gain access to cloud infrastructure, computing resources, corporate customers and talent.
The firm said the initiative was being introduced at a time when African entrepreneurs were increasingly developing AI solutions but continued to face challenges related to infrastructure, market access and distribution.
The programme was unveiled at the Deep Learning Indaba 2026 at Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos, with its first cohort scheduled to be inaugurated during Moonshot by TechCabal in Lagos on October 28 and 29, 2026.
Under the hybrid programme, participating founders will dedicate between three and six hours each week to the accelerator.
The programme will include masterclasses, product development assistance and coaching designed to help startups move from developing technology to securing actual commercial opportunities.
Founders will also be guided to demonstrate early market traction through at least one paying customer or an active pilot project.
The initiative comes amid projections that artificial intelligence could become a major driver of economic transformation across Africa.
The African Development Bank’s Africa AI Productivity Gain report estimates that widespread AI deployment could contribute as much as US$1 trillion to Africa’s GDP by 2035, representing nearly one-third of the continent’s current economic output.
Babacar Seck, Founder and Managing Partner of Askya Investment Partners, said Africa faced a strategic choice between becoming a producer of AI technologies and remaining dependent on imported solutions.
He said the Growth Platform reflected Askya’s commitment since 2024 to supporting ambitious African AI entrepreneurs capable of building companies that address major challenges on the continent.
Femi Awoniyi, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Magna Collective, said the accelerator would place strong emphasis on helping startups convert their innovations into commercial relationships.
The programme’s founding partners include the Deep Learning Indaba and Big Cabal Media, while Magna Collective will oversee its design and delivery.
By combining non-dilutive funding, technical resources and access to potential customers, the organisers hope to help promising African AI startups move beyond the early development stage and build scalable businesses capable of competing in regional and global markets.
