Grant opportunity
Google Play Indie Games Fund in Africa 2026
Google Play is investing USD 1 million in African independent game developers through non-dilutive funding and programme support.
- Funder
- Google Play
- Applications close at 12:00 noon UTC on 31 July 2026
- Applications close at 12:00 noon UTC on 31 July 2026: Jul 31, 2026
- Award
- USD 1 million total non-dilutive fund
- Applicant
- Independent game studios registered in an eligible African country with a published or late-stage mobile game and a team able to participate in the programme.
- Discipline
- Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
- Region
- Africa
- Posted
- Jul 24, 2026
Call summary
Overview
The fund is designed to help promising African game studios grow their products, teams and businesses without giving up equity.
Who can apply
Applicants should review Google's country, studio, game-stage and participation requirements on the official programme page.
What it supports
- Mobile game development and commercial growth.
- Studio capability and product development.
- African independent games ecosystem development.
Funding and duration
- Google Play will distribute USD 1 million across selected African studios.
- Funding is non-dilutive.
Applications close at 12:00 noon UTC on 31 July 2026
Applications close at 12:00 noon UTC on 31 July 2026: Jul 31, 2026
How to apply
Follow the application link from the official Google announcement and submit before noon UTC on 31 July 2026.
Call details
Source-based overview
Google Play has launched its first Indie Games Fund in Africa, offering a USD 1 million pool of non-dilutive support to selected independent game studios across the continent.
Eligibility
Applicants should review Google's country, studio, game-stage and participation requirements on the official programme page.
Funding and benefits
Google Play will distribute USD 1 million across selected African studios.
Funding is non-dilutive.
Themes and supported activities
Mobile game development and commercial growth.
Studio capability and product development.
African independent games ecosystem development.
Deadline and timeline
Applications close at 12:00 noon UTC on 31 July 2026: Applications close at 12:00 noon UTC on 31 July 2026: Jul 31, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Follow the application link from the official Google announcement and submit before noon UTC on 31 July 2026.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.