Africa’s AI Revolution Begins With 50 Local Languages by 2029
A new initiative called The Hub is calling on African non-profits, social enterprises, and research institutions to help build better AI tools for the continent. The project wants to create accurate, inclusive datasets for 50 African languages—ensuring future AI systems reflect local cultures and needs. Backed by major funders like Google.org, the Gates Foundation, and the UK government, the effort aims to make AI more accessible to Africa’s one billion people in their own languages by 2029.
Currently, none of the world’s top 34 online languages are African, leaving over 2,000 languages on the continent underrepresented in AI. To change this, The Hub—supported by grassroots groups like Masakhane, Lacuna Fund, and AI4D Africa—is launching a request for proposals (RFP). The focus is on three key areas: speech recognition for 18 languages, real-world AI testing, and culturally relevant datasets for 40 languages.
The process starts with an Expression of Interest (EOI), inviting researchers, startups, and community organisations to contribute. A 2025 pilot already drew nearly 100 applications from 22 countries, showing strong demand for locally driven AI solutions. The goal is not just technological but also economic—preserving Africa’s linguistic diversity while unlocking new opportunities for growth. Major backers include Google.org, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Canada’s IDRC, and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Their support highlights the global importance of making AI more inclusive and ethically grounded.
The initiative will provide ethically certified datasets to improve AI tools for African languages. By 2029, the project expects to empower millions with technology that understands their speech, culture, and needs. Applications are now open for organisations ready to contribute to this effort.
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