GSMA and Partners Launch Africa Umoja AI for African Languages

GSMA and partners announced in a press release Africa Umoja AI, an initiative to support collaboration on AI for African languages. The announcement was made in Abuja during the African Telecommunications Union Conference of Plenipotentiaries.

The initiative brings together government ministries from Nigeria, Togo, Kenya, Namibia, and Benin with Awarri, Zindi, Pawa AI, and Mozisha. It is designed to help governments, researchers, and companies share expertise, datasets, and practices for AI systems that reflect African languages and local contexts.

GSMA said Africa Umoja AI is intended to complement national AI programs. The group said the initiative builds on the AI for Good Global Commission, with ministers from Nigeria, Namibia, and Togo supporting the project.

The announcement came alongside the Abuja Ministerial Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity for Africa. The declaration commits African governments to policies covering digital inclusion, resilient digital infrastructure, technology neutral regulation, and locally relevant digital services.