Our Story

Preserving Africa's Linguistic Heritage

We are on a mission to ensure that no African language is left behind in the digital age. Every voice matters, every tongue tells a story.

African community

Our Mission

African Mother Tongues was born from a simple yet powerful realization: while the world rushes toward globalization, thousands of African languages risk fading into silence.

Our mission is to bridge the gap between tradition and technology, ensuring that every African mother tongue not only survives but thrives in the digital era. We believe language is more than words—it's identity, culture, and connection.

2,000+ Languages
54 Countries

Our Vision

We envision a world where language is never a barrier to opportunity, education, or healthcare. A world where a grandmother in rural Mali can communicate with her grandchildren in New York, in her own tongue.

By 2030, we aim to have documented and digitized every African language, creating the largest repository of African linguistic heritage ever assembled.

100%

Language Preservation Goal

2030

Target Year

African landscape

What Drives Us

Our Core Values

Cultural Respect

Every language carries centuries of wisdom. We treat each one with the reverence it deserves.

Community First

We work alongside native speakers and communities, not above them. Their voice guides our work.

Innovation

We push the boundaries of AI and machine learning to solve unique linguistic challenges.

Accessibility

Language preservation tools should be free and accessible to everyone, everywhere.

Our Journey

Milestones & Memories

2021

The Idea is Born

Founded in Lagos, Nigeria by a team of linguists, engineers, and cultural preservationists who shared a common dream.

2022

First 50 Languages

Launched our beta app with support for 50 African languages, partnering with universities across the continent.

2023

1 Million Downloads

Reached our first million users, with the app being used in over 100 countries worldwide.

2024

AI Revolution

Introduced our proprietary AI model trained specifically on African tonal languages and dialects.

2025 - Present

5M+ Users & Growing

Today, we serve over 5 million users with 2,000+ language combinations, and we're just getting started.

The People Behind the Mission

Meet Our Team

Team member

Adewale Okonkwo

Founder & CEO

Adewale Okonkwo

Founder & CEO

Team member

Amina Diallo

Chief Linguist

Amina Diallo

Chief Linguist

Team member

Kwame Mensah

Head of AI

Kwame Mensah

Head of AI

Team member

Zainab Mwangi

Community Lead

Zainab Mwangi

Community Lead

Trusted by Leading Organizations

UNESCO
AU
Google.org
MIT
Oxford

Join Our Mission

Whether you're a linguist, developer, or simply passionate about preserving African heritage, there's a place for you in our community.