Google brings AI-powered Search to 13 African languages

Google is expanding access to artificial intelligence across Africa by adding support for 13 widely spoken African languages to its AI-powered Search tools. 

The update allows people to search, ask questions and receive AI-generated answers in languages they use every day, including Kiswahili, Somali, Hausa, Yorùbá and isiZulu. 

For millions of internet users across the continent, the change goes beyond a simple software update.

It opens the door to using AI tools in local languages, making it easier for students, workers and entrepreneurs to find information online. 

The move also reflects Africa’s growing influence in the global internet economy.

Smartphone use is rising rapidly in countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Tanzania, and more people are turning to search engines to learn, work and run businesses. 

As demand for digital services grows, technology companies are paying closer attention to language access, recognizing that many users prefer to search and communicate in the languages they speak at home.

AI tools designed for everyday searches 

The new language support applies to two key features in Google Search: AI Overviews and AI Mode. 

AI Overviews provide short summaries generated by artificial intelligence at the top of search results.

The feature helps users quickly understand complex topics while also linking to trusted sources for additional information. 

AI Mode offers a more interactive experience. People can ask questions using text, voice or images and receive detailed responses generated by AI in their preferred language. 

For many users, this could make digital tools easier to use in daily life.

A student might ask for help understanding a science topic in Kiswahili, while a small business owner could search for market information in Hausa or Yorùbá.

Building AI that reflects Africa’s languages 

The rollout is part of Google’s broader work to improve how artificial intelligence understands and responds to African languages. 

One effort supporting this goal is the Waxal language project, which brings together machine learning researchers, linguists and local communities to help AI systems better process African languages. 

“Waxal,” a word that means “to speak” in the Wolof language, reflects the project’s aim of making digital communication more inclusive and better connected to local cultures. 

Users can access the new features through the Google app on Android or iOS devices or through a mobile browser.

By selecting AI Mode within Search, they can type or speak questions in their preferred language and receive AI-generated responses. 

The newly supported languages include Kiswahili, Somali, Afrikaans, Akan, Amharic, Hausa, Kinyarwanda, Afaan Oromoo, Sesotho, Setswana, Wolof, Yorùbá and isiZulu.

The expansion marks another step in Google’s effort to make its AI tools useful to people in more parts of the world.