AI language gap in Africa hinders tech access

A significant proportion of the world’s languages are found in Africa—over a quarter of all languages are spoken on the continent. Yet many of these languages are underrepresented in artificial intelligence (AI) development. This disparity stems mainly from a lack of investment and readily available data, as most AI tools are trained on European and Chinese languages. The scarcity of text data for African languages hinders the creation of AI tools that can effectively serve their speakers, especially since many African languages are primarily spoken rather than written. Consequently, millions of people across the continent are being left out of the benefits of AI technology.

Researchers at the University of Pretoria, led by Prof. Vukosi Marivate, are working to address this gap. They have recently released the largest known dataset of African languages, comprising 9,000 hours of speech recorded in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. The dataset covers 18 languages, including Kikuyu, Dholuo, Hausa, Yoruba, isiZulu, and Tshivenda, and is intended to provide a foundation for AI‑ready resources in these languages. The African Next Voices project, which created the dataset, was funded by a $2.2 million grant from the Gates Foundation. The data will be open access, enabling developers to build tools that can translate, transcribe, and respond in African languages, thereby bridging the linguistic divide in AI and promoting more equitable access to its benefits.

There are already examples of indigenous languages being used in AI to solve real‑life challenges in Africa. A South African farmer uses an app called AI‑Farmer, which recognizes several local languages, to ask questions and receive useful answers in her native Setswana. Companies such as Lelapa AI are also developing AI tools in African languages for banks and telecom firms. According to Pelonomi Moiloa, CEO of Lelapa AI, language can be a significant barrier to accessing essential services, and initiatives like African Next Voices are crucial in addressing this issue.

The inclusion of African languages in AI technology is not merely a matter of convenience; it is also essential for cultural preservation. As Prof. Marivate notes, language is not just a means of communication but a repository of history, culture, and knowledge. The loss of indigenous languages could result in the loss of unique perspectives and ways of understanding the world. The African Next Voices project represents an important step toward ensuring that African languages are represented in the development of AI technology.