Google Play has launched a $1 million Indie Games Fund to support emerging and innovative game studios across 32 African countries, aiming to help developers scale their projects and reach a global audience.
The announcement was made on Friday, with the tech giant stating that the initiative will provide equity-free funding, technical support, and expert mentorship to empower local developers with the tools needed to grow and compete internationally.
Despite Africa’s rich creative talent and strong storytelling culture, access to funding has remained a major challenge for many independent studios. Google said the new programme seeks to bridge this gap by delivering critical financial and technical resources to help developers refine their ideas, optimise their games, and showcase African stories on the global stage.
Under the programme, selected studios will receive funding ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 from the $1 million pool. In addition to financial support, beneficiaries will gain access to hands-on mentorship from industry experts and technical guidance to improve game performance, strengthen development frameworks, and enhance market visibility.
Speaking on the initiative, Ben McOwen Wilson, Managing Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Google Play, said the fund reflects the company’s commitment to nurturing local talent.
‘Africa’s unique creativity has fuelled a vibrant game development scene,’ he said. ‘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 are now open to independent game developers who meet specific criteria. Eligible applicants must be registered and based in one of the selected African countries, operate as private studios with no more than 50 employees, and have previously launched a game on mobile, PC, or console platforms.
Selected studios will also be required to make their games available on Google Play and participate non-exclusively in the Google Play Pass subscription programme for a period of two years.
Interested developers can submit applications through the official programme portal before the July 31, 2026 deadline, while final selections and the announcement of the 10 successful studios are expected in September.
The fund is open to developers from countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and several others across the continent.