Google Play announced the 10 independent game studios chosen for the 2026 Indie Games Fund Africa. The company said the program provides $1 million in non-dilutive funding, plus mentorship and technical support, to studios across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Google Play said the aim is to help local developers scale and bring African games to a global audience. The announcement was written by Nicola Julius, head of ecosystem and core partnerships EMEA at Google Play.
According to Google Play, the program was meant to help close a funding gap and overcome barriers to international distribution. It said applications opened earlier this year for what it called the first-ever Google Play Indie Games Fund in Africa.
Each studio will receive a share of the funding, along with access to commercial and growth resources, Google Play said. The studios will also get one-on-one mentorship from Google Play specialists and tailored technical support from Unity. Google Play said the support is meant to help studios improve their games, grow sustainably and reach a worldwide audience.
Four of the studios are in South Africa. Clockwork Acorn, founded in 2014, makes Jetstream, a puzzle game with more than 100 levels. Disputed People, founded in 2023, makes Mitts and the Divine Recipes, a 3D adventure game. Studio Bo, based in Cape Town, makes Idle Sands, a 2D idle-clicker game. Vetkoek Studios, which Google Play described as youth-owned, makes Taxi Ranked, a driving game about South African minibus taxis.
Four more are in Nigeria. Deluxe Entertainment Studios makes Rasta Santa, a 2D platformer set in Lagos. Fer Factor, based in Lagos, makes Chore Master, a cleaning game. Gazuntype Entertainment, the game development alias of Tade Ajiboye, makes Go North, an exploration adventure. Maliyo Games, a Lagos studio founded in 2012, makes Safari City, a mobile puzzle and renovation game.
The remaining two studios are in Ghana and Kenya. Leti Games Limited, based in Ghana, makes Sweave, a rhythm-based mobile game inspired by traditional African weaving. Weza Interactive of Kenya, founded by twin brothers Odongo George Ahere and James Ahere, makes Riziki, a free-to-play mobile rhythm game set to Afrobeats, Amapiano and Rhumba music.