Independent game development studios across Africa are invited to apply for the Indie Games Fund Africa 2026, a USD 1 million funding initiative by Google Play that supports promising indie game developers with non-dilutive funding, business support, and opportunities to grow on Google Play.
The fund is designed to help small African game studios expand their businesses without giving up equity. Around 10 studios will be selected to receive between USD 50,000 and USD 200,000 each, alongside practical support to strengthen their growth on Google Play.
About the Fund
Africa’s gaming industry continues to expand, with independent studios creating original games that reflect local stories and reach global audiences. However, many developers face challenges in securing growth capital while retaining ownership of their businesses.
The Indie Games Fund Africa addresses this gap by providing equity-free funding to help studios improve existing games, launch on Android, expand their player base, and scale their businesses through Google Play.
Whether a game is already available on Google Play or currently published on PC, console, or another mobile platform, eligible studios can apply provided they intend to use the funding to grow on Google Play.
What Selected Studios Receive
Selected studios will receive:
- Equity-free funding ranging from USD 50,000 to USD 200,000
- Access to hands-on support from the Google Play team
- Opportunities to grow their games and businesses on Google Play
- Support to launch games on Android where applicable
- Opportunity to make eligible games available through Google Play Pass
Approximately 10 African game studios will be selected.
Who Can Apply
Applicants must:
- Be a registered company in an eligible African country
- Be an independent game development studio with no more than 50 employees
- Have a high-quality indie game with strong growth potential
- Have a game already published on Google Play or another platform such as PC, console, or another mobile marketplace
- Commit to using the funding to build and grow their game on Google Play
Studios with games currently available only on PC, console, or other platforms are also eligible, provided part of the funding will be used to bring the game to Android and publish it on Google Play.
Eligible Countries
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.