African communications ministers and industry leaders have adopted the Abuja Ministerial Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity and launched a pan-African artificial intelligence (AI) initiative to address language and literacy barriers.
The declaration, adopted at the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) conference in Abuja last week, commits governments to modernising technology regulations and expanding infrastructure.
The initiative aims to improve digital inclusion by enabling AI systems to support African languages and literacy needs.
To support this, the GSMA partnered with the governments of Nigeria, Kenya, Togo, Namibia and Benin to launch ATLAS Umoja AI.
According to the GSMA, while network coverage has expanded, high levels of digital illiteracy and a lack of locally relevant content continue to limit internet adoption.
By pooling regional datasets and research, the initiative aims to develop scalable AI systems capable of understanding and operating in African languages.
“We must reflect Africa’s own languages, communities and development priorities,” said Angela Wamola, head of Africa at the GSMA.
“By making AI and digital services available in the languages people speak every day, the initiative will help tackle two of the biggest barriers to internet adoption – digital literacy and locally relevant content.”
The initiative will also support local innovation, with private sector partners including Awarri and Zindi engaging developers and data scientists to build foundational models.
Dr Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy of Nigeria, said the framework aims to position Africa as a creator of next-generation technologies.
“AI will be a defining technology for Africa’s future, but its benefits must be built on our own languages, cultures and knowledge systems,” Tijani said.
“By working together, we can build AI that is more inclusive, locally relevant and accessible to millions of people.”
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