AI in Africa: Indigenous languages and adaptability key to future learning

A senior lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Pretoria believes the future of learning in Africa lies in merging indigenous languages with artificial intelligence (AI). Dr Olaperi Okuboyejo was speaking at Huawei’s Editors Xchange annual technology and media thought-leadership event in Bryanston on Thursday. The event brings together delegates from government, business, and the media to discuss the impact of emerging technologies like AI, cloud computing, and sustainable energy.

Speaking on the state of education, Okuboyejo acknowledgedSouth Africa’s recent matric successes, a record 900,000 candidates and improved bachelor passes, but warned that deeper challenges persist. Citing the 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, Okuboyejo highlighted that “81% of Grade 4 learners in South Africa cannot read for meaning in any language.” She attributed this crisis largely to the abrupt language switch in schools, where learners move from mother‑tongue instruction to English in Grade 4, even though only 7% have English as a home language. According to Okuboyejo, performance in mathematics and science remains weak, with South African learners consistently ranked among the lowest globally.

Overcrowded classrooms compound the problem, with an average ratio of 33 learners per teacher – double the recommended 16. Okuboyejo argued that indigenous language instruction is key to literacy, cultural identity, and self‑esteem. “Learning to read in the mother tongue is instrumental in unlocking every child’s potential,” he said.

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But she stressed that this must be done properly, with resources and terminology developed for subjects like mathematics and science. Here, AI offers a powerful solution.” Okuboyejo outlined how technology can support personalised learning, automated feedback, and translation tools that make educational content accessible in African languages. However, she cautioned that limited data remains a major barrier:

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