Awarri Launches First Multi-lingual Large Language Model to Accelerate AI in Nigeria

Awarri, an enabler of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in Africa, has announced Nigeria’s first multilingual Large Language Model (LLM), in partnership with Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), and data.org.

Large Language Models are vast amounts of data organised to underpin the development of AI applications. Data captured will enable the LLM to be trained with five indigenous Nigerian languages. With the LLM, Awarri is aiming to build the largest data set of native Nigerian languages to fuel the development of AI models and applications for Nigeria.

Data for fueling the LLM will be captured via Awarri’s data collection platform which is accessible from all mobile and desktop devices via the website www.langeasy.ai. Currently compatible with five of Nigeria’s most spoken languages: Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Pidgin, Ibibio along with accented English, users can contribute by recording themselves translating an English sentence into their local language. Going forward additional Nigerian languages will be added to the platform.

The launch is the latest step in Awarri’s mission of advancing AI in Nigeria and Africa more widely. Based in Lagos and founded by Silas Adekunle and Eniola Edun, Awarri is a full-stack AI company. Awarri believes the digital economy can play a key role in solving Nigeria’s sizable youth unemployment problem, and is bridging Nigeria’s technical knowledge gap by equipping local youth with AI skills. Already managing a team of over 100 locally trained and hired AI professionals, Awarri is planning to train and hire 5,000 youths by 2026.

Speaking on the launch, Adekunle, CEO of Awarri, said: "A first for Nigeria, this launch is a critical step in the development of AI in Africa. One of our goals with the LLM is to demonstrate the key role of technology.