Google has expanded its AI overview and AI mode search tools to support 13 African languages In addition to English, it provides millions of users across the continent the ability to search, learn and create online in their own languages.
The update builds on Google's ongoing investment in AI responsible for search, following last year's global rollout AI overview Introduction to and AI mode—A new way for people to explore topics in depth directly within Search.
With AI Overview, users get a concise, AI-generated summary of their search, paired with trusted links for deeper exploration. AI mode expands on this by allowing them to continue the conversation through text, voice or image sharing so they can receive more detailed, personalized responses.
“When technology only speaks a major international language like English, it marginalises millions of people whose first languages reflect a different culture, identity and way of understanding information,” said Kabelo Makwane, country director for Google South Africa.
“Africans are creating, creating and innovating in every sector, yet most of today's technology does not speak their language. By adding more African languages to AI Overview and AI Mode, we are helping people interact with AI naturally – in the languages that shape the way they think and create.”
This extension is based on insights from Google Waxel Language ProjectAn initiative that combines machine learning, linguistic research, and community collaboration to improve the way AI tools understand and generate African languages. Project Name, Vaxelmeans “to speak” in Wolof, reflecting its goal of making digital communications more inclusive and locally relevant.
AI overview and expansion of AI modes to additional languages widely spoken in sub-Saharan Africa mark the next phase of this work. It enables students, teachers, translators, entrepreneurs and everyday users to move beyond hearing about AI to actively applying it to solve real challenges in their communities.
The 13 languages were selected based on strong and growing search usage across the continent. This ensures that the first wave of local language AI experiences reach large, engaged communities in countries like Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Rwanda, Tanzania, Botswana, Senegal and Somalia.
“No one should be excluded from the AI economy because their first language is not English,” says Makwane. “When Africans can discover, learn and create in their own languages, AI becomes a driver of inclusive growth.”
How to use AI mode in more African languages
People who speak any of the supported languages can start using AI Overview and AI Mode:
- Opening the Google app on your Android or iOS device (using the app or mobile browser)
- Tap AI mode in Search experience.
- Type or speak your question in your preferred African language.
Google is inviting users across the continent to try the experience, share feedback, and help refine how AI appears in their languages.
The newly supported languages are Afrikaans (South Africa), Akan (Ghana), Amharic (Ethiopia), Hausa (Nigeria), Kinyarwanda (Rwanda), Afan Oromu (Ethiopia), Somali (Somalia, Kenya), Sesotho (Lesotho, South Africa), Kiswahili (Kenya, Tanzania), Tswana (Botswana, South Africa), Wolof (Senegal), Yoruba. (Nigeria), and isiZulu (South Africa). The languages were chosen according to current user search activity.
