Tanzania, Italian firm to develop advanced Kiswahili tools for AI systems  

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has taken a significant step in the global digital economy by partnering with ALMAWAVE, an Italian technology company specialising in artificial intelligence (AI) language tools.

This collaboration aims to develop advanced Kiswahili tools for AI systems, enabling them to communicate more effectively in the language.

Despite the rapid adoption of AI technologies worldwide, the use of Kiswahili in these systems has remained underdeveloped.

Tanzania is the birthplace of Kiswahili, and the country is at the forefront of ensuring that this United Nations-recognised language reaches global prominence through cutting-edge innovations like AI.

Presenting to the Parliamentary Committee on Infrastructure on January 23, 2025, Dr Nkundwe Mwasaga, director general of the Tanzania ICT Commission, highlighted the Commission's strides, including the agreement with ALMAWAVE.

“This partnership is a groundbreaking opportunity to integrate Kiswahili into AI systems, opening doors for Tanzanians to create innovative solutions across various economic sectors,” he said.

Dr Mwasaga explained that the collaboration would establish a Swahili Large Language Model (LLM), fostering Kiswahili’s growth in AI worldwide.

“We are not just making Kiswahili a global language in communication but also ensuring it becomes a tool for economic transformation,” he added.

Kiswahili has long held a pivotal role as a unifying language across East and Central Africa. With over 200 million speakers globally, it is one of the African Union’s official languages and was recognised as a working language by the United Nations in 2022.

The Tanzanian government’s efforts to promote Kiswahili’s global presence have led to notable milestones, such as its adoption in international forums and inclusion in educational curricula across continents.

The collaboration with ALMAWAVE is expected to bolster Kiswahili’s global appeal by making it more accessible in the digital sphere. The agreement was signed during the Eighth Annual Tanzania ICT Conference (TAIC 2024) in Dar es Salaam.

The Parliamentary Committee on Infrastructure praised the ICT Commission for its forward-thinking initiatives. Committee Chairman Moshi Kakoso underscored Kiswahili's economic potential.

“This is a national asset that we must leverage for economic gain. Although we are the best Kiswahili speakers, it is ironic that neighbouring Countries often benefit more economically from the language,” Kakoso said.

He urged the ICT Commission to ensure that Kiswahili generates greater returns for Tanzania. “Let us embrace these opportunities and transform Kiswahili into a major economic driver, especially in the digital age,” he added.

Language and technology experts have lauded the development. Dr Emmanuel Shila, a linguistics scholar at the University of Dar es Salaam, described the integration of Kiswahili into AI as a “monumental step” that ensures the language remains relevant in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“Kiswahili is not just a medium of communication; it is a cultural identity. Embedding it in AI systems preserves its heritage while advancing its usability in governance, education, and commerce,” he explained.

An AI specialist, Ms Maria De Luca, noted that the partnership sets a global precedent by merging language preservation with cutting-edge technology.

“This initiative paves the way for African languages to take a central role in the digital future. Kiswahili’s inclusion in AI systems will inspire similar advancements for other indigenous languages,” she said.

A digital entrepreneur based in Nairobi, John Nkya, emphasised the economic potential of the initiative.

“By developing Kiswahili tools for AI, Tanzania is not only securing its digital future but also creating opportunities for tech startups, innovation hubs, and job creation across the region,” he remarked.

As AI systems increasingly shape the modern world, Tanzania’s decision to prioritise Kiswahili in this space positions the country as a regional leader in digital innovation.

This initiative has the potential to foster local innovation by creating tools and applications tailored for Kiswahili-speaking users.

It also strengthens Tanzania’s digital economy by attracting investments and partnerships while enhancing regional cohesion by promoting Kiswahili as a unifying digital language.

By embracing AI and leveraging Kiswahili’s global reach, Tanzania is poised to reap significant economic and cultural benefits and set an example for other nations to follow.

“This is a moment of pride for Tanzania and Kiswahili speakers. worldwide. It demonstrates how technology can bridge cultural preservation and innovation,” said Dr Mwasaga.

As the world moves towards a more interconnected and digital future, this initiative underscores the importance of linguistic and cultural inclusivity in technology.