Benin launches "JaimeMaLangue": A civic and cultural innovation for a digital future that speaks our languages
The Government of Benin, through the Agence des Systèmes d'Information et du Numérique (ASIN) and the Institute for Inclusive Digital Africa (IIDiA), under the supervision of the Ministère du Numérique et de la Digitalisation (MND), with the support of the Gates Foundation and Sèmè City - Hub of innovation and experimentation dedicated to training, research and entrepreneurship, officially launched the national "JaimeMaLangue" project on Monday November 10, 2025 at the Novotel Hôtel in Cotonou.
This event marks the effective start of the Benin voice collection phase, a pioneering initiative aimed at building a sovereign voice base to train artificial intelligence (AI) models capable of understanding, valuing and speaking Benin's local languages.
This project positions the country as a major African player in inclusive innovation, and contributes directly to reducing the digital and linguistic divide.
A symbolic and civic opening
The ceremony was opened by Mr. Anziz ADEHAN, Head of the E-Services and Platforms Department at ASIN, who spoke of the project's civic and inclusive vocation.
The official opening address was then delivered by Mr . François AGOUA, Director of Projects and Digital Innovation (DP/IN), representing Mr. Marc-André LOKO, Director General of ASIN.
"With JaimeMaLangue, we're making the choice of a human digital, rooted in our identity. This project reflects our desire to build a future where every citizen, whatever their level of education or language, can interact with technology in their idiom."
Marc-André LOKO, Managing Director of ASIN (represented by Mr. François AGOUA)
The Chairman of IIDIA's Board of Directors, Ambassador Makarimi Abissola ADECHOUBOU, represented at the cerethe African scope of this initiative, a true symbol of digital technology at the service of identities.
"By building a sovereign voice database, we are laying the foundations for an artificial intelligence that understands, values and speaks our languages"
Ambassador Makarimi Abissola ADECHOUBOU, Chairman of the Board - IIDIA
Innovation built around three strategic pillars
The JaimeMaLangue project is based on three key pillars that reflect the vision of the Beninese government:
- Linguistic and cultural heritage
Preserving and promoting Benin's languages, including Fon, Dendi, Yoruba, Bariba and Mina, as a living heritage to be passed on to future generations.
This pillar is in line with cultural diplomacy and the promotion of Benin as a land of voices and knowledge.
- National inclusion and bridging the digital divide
Make technology accessible to all, including low-literacy populations, by enabling them to interact with digital tools in the local language.
JaimeMaLangue makes digital technology more human, more accessible and more egalitarian.
- Technological innovation and digital sovereignty
Create a sovereign linguistic database to drive voice assistants, intelligent public services and local solutions.
The aim is to build an African AI ecosystem rooted in the realities of Benin.
Concrete use cases: a future within earshot
Thanks to the collection of thousands of voice samples, the project will pave the way for multiple innovations:
- Voice assistants capable of understanding local languages for education, health and agriculture.
- Public service applications accessible to all citizens, in their native language.
- Voice-activated banking and mobile payment solutions, facilitating access to financial services.
- Educational interfaces for children and illiterate learners.
- Cultural tools to preserve traditional tales, proverbs and lexicons in digital form.
"What we build today will serve a whole generation connected to its roots tomorrow."
Ambassador Makarimi Abissola ADECHOUBOU, PCA - IIDIA
A participative and interactive launch
Under the theme "Benin speaks to the future", the ceremony brought together over 100 guests from the institutional, academic, technological and cultural worlds.
The highlight was a live demonstration of the platform www.jaimemalangue.bjplatform, guided by Kévin DÉGILA, Head of AI and Data Projects at ASIN, where guests were able to scan a QR Code and record their first voices themselves.
A special tribute was paid to Dah HOUAWE, an emblematic figure in Beninese broadcasting, for his familiar voice that has accompanied millions of citizens for over two decades, a strong symbol of transmission and national pride.
A F.A.Q. rich in exchanges and perspectives
The F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions) session, co-hosted by Kévin DÉGILA (ASIN) and Jean-Eudes AWANVOEKE (IIDiA), provided answers to the audience's main questions:
How does data collection work? What is voice data used for? Who can participate?
Discussions highlighted the ease of use of the platform, the transparency of the voice validation process and the civic value of each contribution.
The participants were unanimous in their praise for this promising project for Benin and Africa.
Several institutional partners, technology companies and cultural players took advantage of the session to express their interest in joining the initiative in the coming months.
A program for valorization and civic inclusion
Beyond the technology, JaimeMaLangue is based on a participative and equitable approach.
The valorization program is based on a symbolic remuneration model per batch of recorded and validated voices, paid by Mobile Money.
This approach aims to encourage the best contributors while raising awareness among citizens of the value of their languages as a national resource and a lever for digital inclusion.
"JaimeMaLangue is our way of saying that our future is also built with our words. When technology finally speaks like us, that's when true innovation begins."
Mahuna AKPLOGAN, Springboard Service Manager - Sèmè City
A vision supported by the Government of Benin
The JaimeMaLangue project is fully in line with Benin's digital transformation strategy and the government's desire to build an inclusive digital economy.
It reflects the conviction that innovation should not exclude, but connect.
Benin thus becomes one of the first African countries to initiate such an approach, placing language, culture and identity at the heart of its technological policy.
A call for contributions
Every voice counts.
Through JaimeMaLangue, Benin invites all its citizens to participate from today on www.jaimemalangue.bjto build a linguistic database that will preserve Benin's languages for future generations.
"Our African voices are no longer dying out: they are becoming the language of the future."
JaimeMaLangue, Un yi wan nu gbé cé.
About ASIN
TheAgence des Systèmes d'Information et du Numérique (ASIN) is a public institution under the authority of the French Ministry for the Digital Economy.
Its mission is to implement the Government of Benin's policy on information systems, digital infrastructures, innovation and data governance.
ASIN works to modernize the State, promote an inclusive digital economy and secure public and citizen data.
About IIDiA
TheInstitute for Inclusive Digital Africa (IIDiA) is dedicated to promoting inclusive digital economies in Africa.
The institution works towards the digital transformation of the continent by improving access to digital infrastructure and inclusive financial services for citizens, businesses and governments.
Through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions, IIDiA works to bridge the digital divide and foster sustainable, equitable economic development rooted in African realities.
About the Gates Foundation
The Gates Foundation is one of the world's leading grantmakers in health, education and development.
Committed to a more equitable world, it supports projects that promote financial inclusion, access to technology, research and the empowerment of vulnerable populations.
Its support for the JaimeMaLangue project illustrates its commitment to African innovations that place people at the heart of technological progress.
Press contacts
Nelsone HOUENHA
Nhouenha@iidia.org +229 01 97 79 88 19
cO International
hello@co-agency.co | +229 01 49 67 35 06
Source: www.gouv.bj/
