Nigeria Leads the Way in African Language AI
Nigeria is taking bold steps to ensure Africa’s diverse voices are included in the global AI revolution. At the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, called for urgent collaboration to develop datasets of African languages.
The appeal came during “The Y’ello Chair Vodcast: Your link to the African continent”, where Tijani challenged the private sector to invest in Africa’s linguistic future.
MTN Group Steps Up
Responding directly to the challenge, MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita pledged the company’s support:
“We like these kinds of partnerships. Challenge accepted,” Mupita said.
Operating in 16 markets (15 across Africa), MTN Group’s backing could significantly accelerate the creation of African language datasets.
Mupita stressed the importance of preventing Africa from becoming a “digital underclass,” highlighting that technology should enhance human dignity, foster inclusion, and create opportunity.
The N-ATLAS Project: A Landmark for AI in Africa
Nigeria recently launched the Nigerian Atlas for Languages & AI at Scale (N-ATLAS), an open-source, multilingual, multimodal LLM (large language model) developed with Awarri Technologies.
Key features of N-ATLAS:
- Digitises and preserves over 500 Nigerian languages.
- Builds datasets to power inclusive AI-driven solutions in education, health, commerce, and governance.
- Provides an open framework for other African countries to join, supporting over 2,000 languages spoken across the continent.
According to Dr Tijani, N-ATLAS is not just a language project, but a national commitment to unity, inclusion, and global contribution.
Why African Language AI Matters
Global AI models often underrepresent African languages, risking a digital divide that excludes millions from the benefits of emerging technologies. By investing in homegrown AI solutions, Africa positions itself as:
- A contributor to the global AI ecosystem, not just a consumer.
- A leader in digital sovereignty.
- A continent where local languages, culture, and knowledge systems shape future technologies.
As Mupita emphasised, AI must ensure digital and economic inclusion, giving Africans the dignity of representation in the digital age.
The Road Ahead
Industry experts believe MTN’s support can accelerate the adoption of AI solutions tailored for Africa, from local language chatbots to education tools that serve rural communities.
With the N-ATLAS framework open to other nations, the initiative could spark a pan-African AI movement—one where the continent’s 1.5 billion people are empowered by technology that speaks their languages.
