Google has expanded the language capabilities of its AI-powered search tools in Nigeria by adding support for Yorùbá and Hausa, marking a significant step toward making artificial intelligence more accessible to local communities. The update allows users to interact with AI-driven features such as AI Overviews and AI Mode in their native languages, making it easier for millions of Nigerians to search, ask questions, and receive quick summaries online.
According to a statement released by Google on Thursday, the update enables speakers of the two widely spoken Nigerian languages to explore information through conversational AI and quick summaries. The move aims to break down language barriers that often limit access to digital tools, allowing users to interact with Search through text or voice in a way that feels more natural and culturally relevant.
Speaking on the development, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communications and Public Affairs Manager for West Africa at Google, said the initiative is designed to ensure that technology reflects the people who use it. He explained that a student in Kano can now ask questions in Hausa while a trader in Ibadan can seek business advice in Yoruba, making information more accessible and useful to everyday users.
With this update, Google’s AI Search now supports 13 African languages, including Afrikaans, Akan, Amharic, Kinyarwanda, Somali, Kiswahili, Wolof, isiZulu, and others. The company said the languages were selected based on strong search activity across the continent, ensuring AI tools reach communities where demand for localized digital experiences continues to grow.
The language expansion is part of Google’s broader push to accelerate AI adoption in Nigeria. Recently, the company also introduced new AI image-generation tools powered by its Nano Banana 2 model, allowing users to create high-quality images directly through Google Search and Lens. As AI adoption rises across Nigeria’s education, business, and creative sectors, the tech giant says it aims to make advanced tools accessible to students, entrepreneurs, and creators across the country.
source: Nairametrics