Google Play selected 10 independent studios across Sub-Saharan Africa for the 2026 Indie Games Fund Africa, announced October 28. The fund commits $1 million in non-dilutive funding, alongside mentorship, commercial and growth resources, and technical support from Unity.
What the fund provides
Non-dilutive funding is money that does not dilute a studio’s ownership. Google Play said each selected studio would receive a share of the $1 million fund, plus commercial and growth resources, hands-on one-to-one mentorship from Google Play specialists, and tailored technical support from Unity. Google described the package as a way to help the studios improve their games, grow sustainably, and reach players worldwide.
The studios and games in the 2026 cohort
| Studio | Country | Game | Game type |
| Clockwork Acorn | South Africa | Jetstream | Puzzle game with more than 100 handcrafted levels |
| Deluxe Entertainment Studios | Nigeria | Rasta Santa | 2D platformer set in Lagos, starring an undercover police officer disguised as Santa |
| Disputed People | South Africa | Mitts and the Divine Recipes | 3D adventure where cooking and gathering ingredients unlock abilities for solving puzzles |
| Fer Factor | Nigeria | Chore Master | Cleaning game about scrubbing and restoring rooms |
| Gazuntype Entertainment | Nigeria | Go North | Story-driven exploration through mazes, magical items, and a mystery |
| Leti Games Limited | Ghana | Sweave | Mobile rhythm game inspired by traditional African weaving |
| Maliyo Games | Nigeria | Safari City | Mobile match-three puzzle and renovation game |
| Studio Bo | South Africa | Idle Sands | 2D idle clicker about robots cleaning a beach and automating operations |
| Vetkoek Studios | South Africa | Taxi Ranked | Retro-style driving game drawing on South African minibus taxi culture |
| Weza Interactive | Kenya | Riziki | Free-to-play mobile rhythm adventure using Afrobeats, Amapiano, and Rhumba |
Reported award range and platform terms
PocketGamer.biz reported that awards range from $50,000 to $200,000 per studio. It also reported that selected studios must make their games available on Google Play and participate in Google Play Pass on a non-exclusive basis for two years. Technext24 reported the same platform terms.
Plans reported for two games
PocketGamer.biz reported that Clockwork Acorn planned to finish Jetstream and release it on mobile. It also reported that Deluxe Entertainment Studios planned a Google Play Pass version of Rasta Santa.
