Sylvia Duruson
Africa’s linguistic landscape faces a critical challenge with approximately 12% of its 2,000 languages at risk of disappearing. This crisis stems from colonial legacies and globalization’s push toward English dominance in international commerce. UNESCO’s prediction that 40% of global languages face extinction has sparked initiatives to preserve these vital cultural assets.
Enter Lingawa, formerly known as TopSet, which has secured $1.1 million in funding to address this challenge. The platform connects the African diaspora with native language tutors, focusing initially on Yoruba and Igbo. Notable investors include Voltron Capital, Zrosk, WEAV Capital, and MasterCard Foundation, alongside individual investors like Dara Treseder.
The company’s journey began with Frank Williams, whose path from medical school dropout to Morgan Stanley and Harvard Business School graduate shaped his vision for African education. Williams partnered with his sister Yvonne, an experienced tutor completing her MSc in Teacher Education at Oxford, and tech veteran Uche Azinge to build the platform.
Lingawa transformed from a general tutoring service into a specialized language learning platform. The company has already reached over 3,000 learners and employs 100 native-speaking tutors. These instructors undergo rigorous training to bridge the teaching skills gap, ensuring high-quality language instruction.
The platform offers affordable lessons at $10 per hour, while tutors earn approximately ₦500,000 monthly. Students access comprehensive learning resources, including flashcards, immersive games, and virtual sessions. Most learners come from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Looking ahead, Lingawa plans to expand its language offerings to include Zulu, Arabic, and Swahili by early 2025. The platform integrates AI technology for student-tutor matching and is developing African language models to enhance practice sessions between lessons. Monthly lesson volumes have grown from 100 to over 3,000, demonstrating significant market demand.
The company’s commitment extends beyond business metrics to preserving cultural identity through language education. By connecting diaspora communities with their linguistic heritage, Lingawa addresses both educational needs and cultural preservation in the digital age.
