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EqualyzAI, an African-focused AI startup, has introduced an AI-powered platform aimed at promoting African languages through localized models and hyperlocal datasets.
The launch was announced by one of the company’s co-founders, Olubayo Adekanmbi, during an event in Lagos on Friday, held in celebration of International Mother Language Day.
Co-founded alongside Ife Adebara, the company is dedicated to making AI innovations more inclusive and accessible across the African continent.
“Our mission is to ensure that AI speaks our languages, understands our contexts, and addresses our unique challenges. This is not just about technology; it’s about empowerment and inclusion,” Adekanmbi stated.
Adebara underscored the critical role of language in AI development, stating, “Africa is home to over 2,000 languages, yet most AI models struggle to understand even a fraction of them. Our goal is to change this by developing AI that truly represents African linguistic diversity.”
He highlighted EqualyzAI’s key innovations, which include DataCollect, a data-gathering tool; AfroSLM 1.0, a small language model designed to enhance financial literacy in Yoruba and Hausa; and uLearn, an AI-powered tool that assists teachers in generating lesson plans, notes, and quizzes in both English and local languages.
The company emphasized that its approach relies on collaboration with native speakers to develop AI solutions that authentically represent Africa’s diverse cultural and linguistic landscape.
