ABUJA – Africa has launched the Atlas Network, a continental artificial intelligence initiative aimed at preserving indigenous languages and developing locally relevant AI technologies tailored to the continent’s cultures, knowledge systems and languages.
The initiative was unveiled by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, during the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference held in Abuja.
Tijani said the Atlas Network would expand Nigeria’s existing Atlas project into a pan-African collaboration involving governments, researchers, academics, innovators and technology partners to build African large language models.
He lamented that fewer than two per cent of African languages currently receive meaningful support from modern artificial intelligence systems despite the continent being home to nearly one-tenth of the world’s languages.
According to him, the project would ensure that AI technologies are developed “by Africans, for Africans” while addressing the continent’s unique linguistic and cultural needs.
“Artificial Intelligence presents one of the greatest opportunities for Africa’s transformation. However, less than 2% of Africa’s languages receive meaningful support from contemporary AI systems,” Tijani said.
He added that Africa’s youthful population, growing digital ecosystem and entrepreneurial potential place the continent in a strategic position to influence the future of global technology.
The conference also featured calls for stronger cooperation among African countries in telecommunications, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure and responsible AI governance ahead of the 2026 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha, Qatar.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, urged African nations to adopt a common position on digital policies and work together to expand affordable broadband access, strengthen cybersecurity and promote digital trade.
Shettima described digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, satellite communication and secure networks as essential to development, just like roads, electricity and railways.
He said no single African country could achieve the continent’s digital ambitions alone, stressing the importance of collaboration.
“No single nation, irrespective of its size or resources, can fully achieve Africa’s digital aspirations in isolation. Our future hinges on collaboration,” he stated.
The Vice President also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa, noting that digital advancement would drive job creation, education, healthcare improvement, financial inclusion and economic growth.
Meanwhile, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, called for a more structured exchange of ideas and experiences among African telecommunications regulators.
Maida said while African countries operate under different legal systems and market conditions, regulators face similar challenges that require collective solutions.
The Nigerian government said the Atlas Network represents a major step towards ensuring Africa becomes not just a consumer of global technology but a key contributor to the future of digital innovation.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.