Burkina Faso’s Sahal Tech, Old Rock Group collaborate on African Language AI

Burkina Faso-based Sahal Tech Innovation Labs has signed a strategic agreement with Old Rock Group to advance the development of artificial intelligence technologies for African languages, with an initial focus on four languages spoken across the Sahel and wider continent.

The agreement was signed on 2 November 2026 in Ouagadougou and is intended to support the development of the Sahal African Language Data Platform (SALDP), an initiative focused on building language databases and AI technologies for languages that remain underrepresented in digital systems.

Under the partnership, Old Rock Group will support Sahal Tech in strategic planning and project structuring, technical preparation and infrastructure development, as well as capacity building and specialised technical training.

The SALDP initiative will initially focus on Mooré, Dioula, Fulfuldé and Bambara. It aims to develop high-quality language datasets and AI capabilities that could enable more Africans to interact with digital services and emerging technologies in their own languages.

Sahal Tech said the platform is intended to strengthen Africa’s linguistic and digital sovereignty by building local capabilities in artificial intelligence rather than leaving the continent primarily dependent on technologies developed elsewhere.

The company also highlighted other initiatives, including AFRINA Chat and TEKRÉ, described as African-origin digital platforms available through mobile application stores. Its STIC’26 innovation programme attracted more than 600 projects from 23 African countries.

The partnership forms part of Sahal Tech’s broader efforts to develop African technology solutions and expand the representation of the continent’s languages in artificial intelligence systems.

Source:TechAfrica News