From Lagos to Nairobi: Africa steps into AI future with homegrown language models

Africa is taking a bold step toward digital sovereignty with the launch of a groundbreaking initiative to develop large language models (LLMs) rooted in African data, culture, and languages.

• GSMA launches a continent-wide initiative to develop African-led large language models (LLMs).
• Telecom giants like MTN, Airtel, Vodacom, and Orange join forces with AI research hubs such as Masakhane and Lelapa AI.
• The project aims to bridge linguistic and cultural gaps in global AI systems by training models on African data.
• GSMA calls for collective action to ensure Africa takes ownership of its digital and AI future.

The project, unveiled at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Africa on Tuesday, October 21, marks a major milestone in the continent’s effort to build a more inclusive artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem.

Led by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), the coalition brings together some of Africa’s biggest telecom and technology players, including Airtel, MTN, Vodacom, Orange, Cassava Technologies, Axian Telecom, and Ethio Telecom, alongside research leaders such as Masakhane, Lelapa AI, Awarri, and the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC).

“The mobile industry is now the backbone of Africa’s economy, supporting around eight million jobs and contributing 7.7 percent of the continent’s GDP — already above the global average,” said Vivek Badrinath, Director General of GSMA.

While AI adoption is on the rise across African markets, experts say the continent still faces critical challenges, from limited data in African languages to gaps in computing infrastructure and policy frameworks.

“AI systems today are mostly trained on data from the global north, meaning they often don’t understand African realities, values, or languages.

“That’s why we’re building African-led language models to make AI relevant, inclusive, and representative of our continent,” Badrinath explained.

Building AI that speaks Africa’s languages

At the heart of the initiative is a vision to make AI tools that truly understand and serve Africa’s 1.4 billion people. Currently, most global LLMs are trained in just a few languages, excluding billions of speakers of underrepresented tongues.

The GSMA-led project aims to correct that imbalance, ensuring that Africans can use AI for everything from local education and healthcare to governance and creative industries.

A recent GSMA feasibility study revealed that African-built AI models are both technically possible and economically viable, provided there is sustained investment and political will.

To drive progress, the partners have established working groups across four pillars — data, compute, talent, and policy — and pledged to share results at future GSMA events.

“Africa’s diversity of languages and cultures is one of our greatest strengths,” said Angela Wamola, Head of GSMA Africa.

“This initiative turns that challenge into an opportunity, building African-led AI capacity, empowering innovation across industries, and ensuring Africa shapes the digital future on its own terms.”

As GSMA calls for startups, academia, creative sectors, and global tech firms to join the movement, one message rings clear: Africa is no longer waiting to be included in the AI revolution; it’s taking charge of its own digital destiny.