Benin Launches “JaimeMaLangue” Project to Integrate Local Languages into AI

Benin is taking a significant step in merging culture with technology by enabling citizens to engage with digital platforms in their native languages. On Monday, November 10, in Cotonou, the government officially launched the “JaimeMaLangue” project, a pioneering initiative designed to incorporate Beninese languages into the artificial intelligence ecosystem. The project is led by the French Information Systems and Digital Agency (ASIN) in partnership with the IIDiA Institute, reflecting a commitment to making technology inclusive and culturally relevant.

The initiative, introduced under the theme “Benin Speaks to the Future,” invites citizens to contribute to a national AI language database by recording sentences in their mother tongues via the jaimemalangue.bj platform. Submitted entries are validated by a panel of experts and will serve as a training dataset for AI models capable of understanding and reproducing local languages. The pilot phase focuses on Fongbé, with plans to expand to other widely spoken languages such as Yoruba and Baatonu.

“JaimeMaLangue” is part of Benin’s broader National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, adopted in January 2023. The strategy aims to leverage AI across critical sectors including education, health, agriculture, and tourism, positioning the country as a regional leader in technological innovation.

Beyond advancing AI capabilities, the project underscores Benin’s commitment to culturally anchored digital inclusion. Building on prior initiatives such as the launch of the Dictionary of Beninese Languages in July, this effort illustrates the intersection of cultural identity and digital transformation. By creating AI systems that can comprehend local languages, Benin seeks to enhance citizen participation and ensure digital services are accessible to all, regardless of language.