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A continent-wide collaboration has been established to strengthen Africa’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem through the development of inclusive African AI language models.
The initiative brings together the GSMA, Airtel, African Population and Health Research Center, Awarri, Axian Telecom, Cassava Technologies, Ethio Telecom, Masakhane African Languages Hub, Lelapa AI, MTN, Orange, Pawa AI, Qhala, the World Sandbox Alliance, and Vodacom.
According to Creamer Media’s Engineering News report-gsma-leading-african-operators-launch-to-initiative-to-lower-barriers-to-smartphone-ownership-in-africa seen by Zambia Monitor on Wednesday, the world’s leading large language models (LLMs) are currently built around a few global languages, limiting access and relevance for billions of people whose linguistic and cultural diversity remains underrepresented online.
The GSMA’s AI for Africa report series notes that over 2,000 languages are spoken across the continent, yet only a fraction are supported in digital systems or AI models—a gap that risks widening existing digital and economic divides.
“Africa’s diversity of languages and cultures is one of our greatest strengths, yet it has too often been overlooked in the development of global AI systems,” said GSMA Head of Africa Angela Wamola.
“This initiative is about turning that challenge into an opportunity – building African-led AI capacity, empowering innovation across local industries and ensuring Africa shapes the digital future on its own terms.”
The initiative seeks to create AI language models trained on African languages and local data to empower businesses, governments, and communities to develop AI applications and innovations relevant to African contexts, spanning sectors such as education, healthcare, creative industries, and public service delivery.
“By working together, we can make AI more inclusive, more relevant, and more reflective of the world we live in,” Wamola added.
Operating under the shared ambition, “AI Language Models in Africa, By Africa, For Africa,” the initiative aims to close the region’s AI language gap while pooling resources and expertise to address deficits in data, computing power, talent, and policy—ensuring African languages, cultures, and knowledge are represented in the global digital landscape.
A feasibility study led by the GSMA and its regional partners confirmed that African-led language models are both technically feasible and economically viable, but emphasized that success will require collective leadership, investment, and collaboration.
While the GSMA acknowledged ongoing efforts to advance AI adoption in Africa, it stressed that foundational challenges remain and urged ecosystem partners to align their initiatives and accelerate progress.
The continent-wide partnership will foster co-creation and mobilize leading operators, governments, researchers, technology providers, investors, and development partners to bridge these gaps and drive AI development across Africa.
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