Benin has officially launched a national initiative called JaimeMaLangue, which means “I Love My Language” in French, aimed at building artificial intelligence tools that support and understand local languages.
The program, announced Tuesday in Cotonou, is a joint effort between the national digital agency ASIN and the research institute IIDiA. It is part of the country’s broader push for responsible digital innovation across Africa.
The project’s goal is to create a digital presence for Benin’s native languages, beginning with Fongbé. Organizers say the system will allow people to interact with technology in their own language using AI models trained on community voice samples.
Participants can contribute by visiting jaimemalangue.bj, selecting their language, and reading or repeating phrases.
Their voice recordings are then sent anonymously to a national database, where a panel of experts validates and processes the data.
The program is built around inclusion, innovation and heritage. Officials described it as a way to make every citizen part of the country’s digital future.
According to a government statement, the project aims to make it possible for every citizen to interact with technology in their native language. “We invite everyone to take part and share the platform widely.”
The launch brought together leaders from the technology, cultural and academic sectors under the theme “Benin Speaks to the Future.”
COTONOU, Benin – Bantu Gazette
